A businessman, Moses Ifeuwa, on Thursday appeared before a Federal High Court, Lagos, over alleged illegal importation of 1,570 pieces of pump action rifles.
Justice Saliu Saidu ordered the remand of the accused, after he was arraigned on an eighth-count charge bordering on unlawful importation and possession of firearms.
He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
After his plea, the Prosecution, Mr Julius Ajakaye, sought for a trial date and urged the court to order the remand of the accused in prison custody.
Responding, the Defence Counsel, Mr C. J. Jiakeonna, made an oral application for bail of the accused, having being in custody of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) for over six months after arrest.
However, the court urged the counsel to bring a formal bail application before the court
The judge adjourned the case until Nov. 21 and Nov. 22, for commencement of trial.
In the charge marked, FHC/L /339C/2018, the accused was alleged to have committed the offences between Nov. 6 and Nov. 20, 2017.
He was said to have illegally conspired with one Great James Oil and Gas Ltd, Ayogu Great James and Emeka Umeh Festus a.k.a. Amankwa (said to be at large), to import 1,570 pieces of the rifles in a 20-feet container.
He was also said to have conspired with others, to alter a forged bill of lading marked, ISB0281398 issued on July 28, 2017, to read GUANGDONG- CHINA instead of ISTANBUL- TURKEY.
He was also alleged to have forged a bill of lading marked, ISB0281398 issued on July 28, 2017, to read “230 packages of wash hand basin and W/C with form ‘M’ number MF20170080364 as the content of the 20-feet container.
The offences contravened the provisions of Section 1 (14) (a) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap M17, Law of the Federation, 2004.
It also contravened the provisions of Section 1 (2) (c) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap M17, Law of the Federation, 2004.