Arms Centre Arraigns 11 For Illegal Importation Of Firearms

National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), has arraigned 11 suspects in connection with the illegal importation of 844 assorted firearms and 112,500 rounds of ammunition concealed in a 40-foot container intercepted at Onne Port in June 2024.

A statement by the director, strategic communications and information, Group Captain Pius Okwuego, said they were arraigned on Friday, April 4 2025, in charge number FHC/ABJ/CR/463/2024 between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Ali Samson Ofoma and 10 others at the Federal High Court, Abuja.

He said the prosecution made further amendments to the existing charges, adding an additional defendant (one Ejiofor Ogbu Jude) to the matter during proceedings.

According to the statement, the 11 defendants were re-arraigned on a six-count charge including conspiracy to illegally importing prohibited firearms and ammunition, contrary to Section 26(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022; altering of a forged document (Bill of Lading), contrary to Section 1(2)(c) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap M17, LFN 2004; transportation of prohibited weapons in a manner prejudicial to national security, contrary to Section 39(1)(a)(i) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022; importation of firearms and ammunition without requisite licence or authority, contrary to Section 18 and punishable under Section 27(a)(iii) of the Firearms Act, Cap F28, LFN 2004, among others.

The director of legal services at the NCCSALW, Mrs Chioma Onuegbu, leading the prosecution called its second witness, Major General AD Chinoko (rtd) who was examined-in-chief and subsequently cross-examined by counsel to the first and second defendants.

The matter was adjourned to May 9, 2025 for the continuation of cross-examination of the second prosecution witness by the counsel representing the third to 11th defendants.

According to the statement, the court will on the same date also hear the third bail application filed on behalf of the first and second defendants.