Alleged arms smuggling: Court dismisses defendants’ no case submission

Justice Ayokunle Faji of the Federal High Court, Lagos, has dismissed a no case submission filed by a retired Customs Officer, Hassan Mahmud and two others, who are standing trial over illegal smuggling of 661 Pump Action Riffles into the country.

Other defendants whose no case submissions were also dismissed were the retired Customs Officer’s company, Hassan Mahmud Trading Company Limited and Donatus Ezebunwa.

The third defendant, Oscar Okafor, did not file a no case submission.

Justice Faji acquitted and discharged the fourth defendant, Salisu Abdulahi Danjuma, who was represented by his counsel, Mr. Okey Barah.

The office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) had dragged all the defendants to court on a nine count-charge bordering on conspiracy, smuggling of prohibited firearms, forgery and altering of documents, offering of graft to government officials and importation of prohibited firearms.

Their offences, according to the prosecutor, Mr. Julius Ajakaiye, a Deputy Director in the Federal Ministry of Justice, are contrary to and punishable under sections 3(6), 1(14)(a)(I) 1(2) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap. M17, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and Section 98(1) (b) of the Criminal Code Act.