The National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), continues to pursue its mandate in addressing the proliferation of illegal arms across the country.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Director, Strategic Communications and Information, Group Captain Pius Okwuego and made available to ASTV.
Following the arraignment of suspects connected with the illegal importation of 844 assorted firearms and 112,500 rounds of ammunition—concealed within a 40-foot container intercepted at Onne Port in June 2024—the Federal High Court, Abuja sat on Friday, 4 April 2025, in Charge No: FHC/ABJ/CR/463/2024 between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Ali Samson Ofoma and ten others.
During the proceedings, the prosecution made further amendments to the existing charges, adding an additional defendant (one Ejiofor Ogbu Jude) to the matter. The eleven defendants were re-arraigned on a six-count charge;
Including:
Conspiracy to illegally import 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.
Supporting the clearing of prohibited firearms and ammunition, contrary to Section 13(1)(a) and punishable under Section 13(1)(b) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Providing funds and resources to facilitate the commission of a terrorist act, contrary to Section 21(1)(b) and punishable under Section 21(2)(a) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The Prosecution, led by Mrs Chioma Onuegbu, Director of Legal Services at the NCCSALW, called its second witness, Major General AD Chinoko (rtd) mni, who was examined-in-chief and subsequently cross-examined by counsel to the first and second defendants.
The matter was adjourned to 9 May 2025 for the continuation of cross-examination of the second Prosecution Witness by counsel representing the third to eleventh defendants. On the same date, the Court will also hear the third bail application filed on behalf of the first and second defendants.
The National Centre remains committed to its mandate of ensuring that Nigeria is safe from the dangers posed by illegal SALW. It will continue to work closely with relevant security agencies and international partners to apprehend all individuals involved in this illicit trade and other acts promoting SALW proliferation.
Further updates will be provided as court proceedings continue.
ARMS PROLIFERATION: Court Proceeding in Case Involving Illegal Importation of Prohibited Firearms Continuous, Says NCCSALW
The National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), continues to pursue its mandate in addressing the proliferation of illegal arms across the country.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Director, Strategic Communications and Information, Group Captain Pius Okwuego and made available to ASTV.
Following the arraignment of suspects connected with the illegal importation of 844 assorted firearms and 112,500 rounds of ammunition—concealed within a 40-foot container intercepted at Onne Port in June 2024—the Federal High Court, Abuja sat on Friday, 4 April 2025, in Charge No: FHC/ABJ/CR/463/2024 between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Ali Samson Ofoma and ten others.
During the proceedings, the prosecution made further amendments to the existing charges, adding an additional defendant (one Ejiofor Ogbu Jude) to the matter. The eleven defendants were re-arraigned on a six-count charge;
Including:
Conspiracy to illegally import 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.
Supporting the clearing of prohibited firearms and ammunition, contrary to Section 13(1)(a) and punishable under Section 13(1)(b) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Providing funds and resources to facilitate the commission of a terrorist act, contrary to Section 21(1)(b) and punishable under Section 21(2)(a) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The Prosecution, led by Mrs Chioma Onuegbu, Director of Legal Services at the NCCSALW, called its second witness, Major General AD Chinoko (rtd) mni, who was examined-in-chief and subsequently cross-examined by counsel to the first and second defendants.
The matter was adjourned to 9 May 2025 for the continuation of cross-examination of the second Prosecution Witness by counsel representing the third to eleventh defendants. On the same date, the Court will also hear the third bail application filed on behalf of the first and second defendants.
The National Centre remains committed to its mandate of ensuring that Nigeria is safe from the dangers posed by illegal SALW. It will continue to work closely with relevant security agencies and international partners to apprehend all individuals involved in this illicit trade and other acts promoting SALW proliferation.
Further updates will be provided as court proceedings continue.
LEAVE A REPLY
The National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), continues to pursue its mandate in addressing the proliferation of illegal arms across the country.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Director, Strategic Communications and Information, Group Captain Pius Okwuego and made available to ASTV.
Following the arraignment of suspects connected with the illegal importation of 844 assorted firearms and 112,500 rounds of ammunition—concealed within a 40-foot container intercepted at Onne Port in June 2024—the Federal High Court, Abuja sat on Friday, 4 April 2025, in Charge No: FHC/ABJ/CR/463/2024 between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Ali Samson Ofoma and ten others.
During the proceedings, the prosecution made further amendments to the existing charges, adding an additional defendant (one Ejiofor Ogbu Jude) to the matter. The eleven defendants were re-arraigned on a six-count charge;
Including:
Conspiracy to illegally import 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.
Supporting the clearing of prohibited firearms and ammunition, contrary to Section 13(1)(a) and punishable under Section 13(1)(b) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Providing funds and resources to facilitate the commission of a terrorist act, contrary to Section 21(1)(b) and punishable under Section 21(2)(a) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The Prosecution, led by Mrs Chioma Onuegbu, Director of Legal Services at the NCCSALW, called its second witness, Major General AD Chinoko (rtd) mni, who was examined-in-chief and subsequently cross-examined by counsel to the first and second defendants.
The matter was adjourned to 9 May 2025 for the continuation of cross-examination of the second Prosecution Witness by counsel representing the third to eleventh defendants. On the same date, the Court will also hear the third bail application filed on behalf of the first and second defendants.
The National Centre remains committed to its mandate of ensuring that Nigeria is safe from the dangers posed by illegal SALW. It will continue to work closely with relevant security agencies and international partners to apprehend all individuals involved in this illicit trade and other acts promoting SALW proliferation.
Further updates will be provided as court proceedings continue.
LEAVE A REPLY
The National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), continues to pursue its mandate in addressing the proliferation of illegal arms across the country.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Director, Strategic Communications and Information, Group Captain Pius Okwuego and made available to ASTV.
Following the arraignment of suspects connected with the illegal importation of 844 assorted firearms and 112,500 rounds of ammunition—concealed within a 40-foot container intercepted at Onne Port in June 2024—the Federal High Court, Abuja sat on Friday, 4 April 2025, in Charge No: FHC/ABJ/CR/463/2024 between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Ali Samson Ofoma and ten others.
During the proceedings, the prosecution made further amendments to the existing charges, adding an additional defendant (one Ejiofor Ogbu Jude) to the matter. The eleven defendants were re-arraigned on a six-count charge;
Including:
Conspiracy to illegally import 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.
Supporting the clearing of prohibited firearms and ammunition, contrary to Section 13(1)(a) and punishable under Section 13(1)(b) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Providing funds and resources to facilitate the commission of a terrorist act, contrary to Section 21(1)(b) and punishable under Section 21(2)(a) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The Prosecution, led by Mrs Chioma Onuegbu, Director of Legal Services at the NCCSALW, called its second witness, Major General AD Chinoko (rtd) mni, who was examined-in-chief and subsequently cross-examined by counsel to the first and second defendants.
The matter was adjourned to 9 May 2025 for the continuation of cross-examination of the second Prosecution Witness by counsel representing the third to eleventh defendants. On the same date, the Court will also hear the third bail application filed on behalf of the first and second defendants.
The National Centre remains committed to its mandate of ensuring that Nigeria is safe from the dangers posed by illegal SALW. It will continue to work closely with relevant security agencies and international partners to apprehend all individuals involved in this illicit trade and other acts promoting SALW proliferation.
Further updates will be provided as court proceedings continue.