Justice Friday Ogazi of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos yesterday ordered the remand of three suspected firearms smugglers arrested by operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) over the alleged unlawful importation of pump-action rifles into the country.

The suspects, Kenneth Mbonu, Kenneth Agwu and Chima Onuoha are to be remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) for 15 days, following the court’s ruling on a motion ex parte filed by the Customs.

The court subsequently adjourned the matter until September 1, 2026, for a report on the progress of investigations or the possible arraignment of the suspects.

The firearms were allegedly concealed in a container marked TEMU 184536/9, which arrived in Nigeria aboard the vessel MV Velika on July 8, 2026.

The latest remand order follows an earlier directive by the same court ordering the detention of two other suspects, Ejiogu Godson and Revert Eze, in connection with the alleged smuggling operation.

While arguing the application yesterday, counsel to the NCS, Mr David Ereh and Mrs Kehinde Bode-Ayeni, told the court that the motion was filed pursuant to Sections 294 and 295 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015; Section 6 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023; relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution; and Order 46, Rule 4(d) of the Federal High Court Rules.

The Customs sought an order to remand the suspects pending the conclusion of investigations and possible prosecution, arguing that the nature of the alleged offences made it impossible to complete the investigation within the constitutionally prescribed 24 or 48 hours.

In an affidavit filed in support of the application, a litigation officer, N. Akpan, said the case arose from credible intelligence received by officers of the Customs Enforcement Unit concerning the suspicious container.

According to him, acting on the directive of the Customs Area Controller, officers monitored the container after its arrival on July 8 and conducted a physical examination on July 13, during which arms and ammunition were allegedly discovered concealed inside it.

He said the discovery led to the arrest of the three suspects and the commencement of further investigations into the alleged unlawful importation.

Akpan further stated that the suspects had provided information implicating other alleged accomplices in the forgery and manipulation of Customs documents reportedly used to facilitate the illegal clearance of the container.

He said efforts were ongoing to track and apprehend the fleeing suspects, adding that the defendants had made statements under caution, which the Customs described as confessional.

The deponent also argued that granting the suspects bail at this stage could jeopardise the investigation, as they might assist other suspects in evading arrest or tamper with evidence.

Counsel to the Customs therefore urged the court to grant a 15-day remand order to enable investigators to conclude the probe in the public interest.

Ruling on the application, Justice Ogazi granted the request and ordered that the three defendants be remanded in the custody of the NCoS for 15 days.

The judge thereafter adjourned to September 1, 2026, for an update on the investigation or the possible arraignment of the suspects.