Court Jails Cab Driver For Unlawful Trafficking Of 12 Live Parrots

The Federal High Court in Lagos has sentenced a taxi driver, Sabiu Haruna, to six months in prison for unlawfully having in his possession, and selling twelve (12) live parrots.

Justice Yellim Bogoro sentenced Haruna after he pleaded guilty to a two-count charge brought against him by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) under case number FHC/L/534C/2025.

The prosecutor, Vivian Aigbadon, had earlier informed the court that the convict was arrested following intelligence provided by the Wildlife Justice Commission, an international organisation established in 2015.

Aigbadon also affirmed that the convict was apprehended on June 2, 2025, along FESTAC Road 22 in Lagos, while in possession of 12 live parrots, which included six African Grey Parrots (Psittacus erithacus erithacus), a Senegal Parrot (Poicephalus senegalus), and two Budgerigar Parrots (Melopsittacus undulatus).

The prosecutor maintained that Haruna’s actions violated Sections 7(3) and 7 (4) of the National Environmental Protection of Endangered Species in International Trade Regulations, 2011, and were punishable under Section 7(4) of the same Act.

She also insisted that the offences violated Section 5(1) of the Endangered Species (Control of International Trade and Traffic) Act, Cap E9, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, and punishable under section 5(1)(a) of the Endangered Species (Control of International Trade and Traffic) (Amendment) Act, 2016.

Based on his plea, the prosecutor reviewed the facts of the case and requested that the court convict and sentence him according to the NCS Act under which he was charged.

However, Haruna’s lawyer urged the court to temper justice with mercy.

The charges against the cab driver read: “That you, Sabiu Haruna, male, adult, on or about June 2, 2025, along FESTAC Road 22, Lagos State, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, Lagos, were found to be in possession of six live African Grey Parrots (Psittacus erithacus erithacus), four live Senegal Parrots (Poicephalus senegalus), and two live Budgerigar Parrots (Melopsittacus undulatus), which are endangered wildlife specimens.

“The possession of these specimens is absolutely prohibited under the First Schedule of the Endangered Species (Control of International Trade and Traffic) Act, Cap Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, thereby committing an offence contrary to section 7(3) of the National Environmental (Protection of Endangered Species in International Trade Regulations, 2011) and punishable under section 7(4) of the same Act.

“That you, Sabiu Haruna, male, adult, on or about June 24, 2025, along Festac Road 22, Lagos State, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, Lagos, engaged in the trade of six live African Grey Parrots (Psittacus erithacus erithacus), four live Senegal Parrots (Poicephalus senegalus), and two live Budgerigar Parrots (Melopsittacus undulatus), which are endangered wildlife specimens, thereby committing an offence contrary to the same regulation.”