Court Remands American For Illegal Importation Of Firearms Into Nigeria

Justice Abimbola Awogboro of the Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday remanded an American, Donn Perkins, in the custody of Ikoyi Centre of the Nigerian Correctional Services for allegedly importing firearms into Nigeria.

Perkins, who claimed to be a former United States Marine, was arraigned before the court by the Nigerian Customs Services on a four-count charge of illegal dealing in arms and ammunition.

The prosecutor, Mrs Kehinde Bode-Ayeni had told Justice Awogboro that the foreigner was arrested sometime in February 2023 at Tin-can Island Port, Apapa, Lagos.

She listed the arms and ammunition the defendant was arrested with as: one piece of 5.56mm AK47, styled rifle (Tavor) serial No. 1452 with three magazines and one drum, one piece of Ak47 7.62mm variant serial No: 9335724 with four magazines, Ruger magnum .357 Revolver with serial No. 17819337, Ruger 380 pistol with serial no; 79047837 and XD 45 gun with serial No. BY558431 and two magazines.

Mrs Bode-Ayeni also told the court that the American illegally brought into the country: 1,064 rounds of 5.56mm live ammunition, 119 rounds of .357mm live ammunition, and six and two rounds.32mm automatic ammunition, 29 rounds of 9mm live ammunition, 25 rounds of AK47 7.62mm special live ammunition, 39 rounds of 22mm live ammunition, 47 rounds of 45mm automatic live ammunition, 1 round of .40mm live ammo and 54 rounds of .380mm Ruger live ammunition.

The prosecutor told the court that the defendant concealed the arms and ammunition in a 1x20ft Container No: TGHU0S010362 and illegally brought them into the country through Tin-Can Island Port.

Mrs. Bode-Ayeni further maintained that the defendant violated sections 18 and 19 of the Firearms Act, Cap F28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 (As amended), and is punishable under section 27 (1) (a) (lil) of the same Act.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Based on his plea, the prosecutor urged the judge to fix a trial date and also remand the foreigner in prison custody pending the conclusion of the trial.

But the defence lawyer, Blessing Jaiyeola, pleaded with the court to remand her client in the complainant’s custody till when his application would be heard.

Jaiyeola told the court that her client was an Ex-US Marine who only came on a visit to Nigeria with the items arrested with him.

She, therefore, pleaded with the court for a short date to enable her to file a bail application on behalf of her client.

Justice Awogboro, after listening to the counsel’s submissions, ordered that the defendant be remanded in prison and adjourned the matter to June 6 for the commencement of the defendant’s trial.