Alleged import of firearms: A-G discontinues charge against company

Lagos, October 2, 2024(TheGavel) – A Federal High Court in Lagos has dismissed a charge against Great James Oil and Gas Ltd., an oil company accused of illegally importing 1,570 firearms.

The court’s decision followed a notice of discontinuance filed by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF).

In April 2024, two co-defendants in the case, Moses Ifeuwa and Festus Emeka, were sentenced to two years imprisonment each for their involvement in the alleged firearms importation. The defendants were charged alongside the oil company on eight counts related to conspiracy, illegal importation of firearms, forgery, and alteration of custom import papers.

The trial began in 2018 but was delayed due to the retirement of the presiding judge. The case was subsequently re-assigned to Justice Ambrose Allagoa, and the defendants were re-arraigned in 2021.

After pleading not guilty, the defendants entered into a plea bargain with the AGF and subsequently changed their pleas to guilty. The court convicted them and sentenced them to two years imprisonment or a fine of one million Naira each on the eight counts.

When the case was called on Wednesday, the prosecution informed the court of an application to discontinue proceedings against the first defendant, Great James Oil and Gas Ltd., citing Section 108 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015.

The court granted the application, resulting in the dismissal of the charge against the oil company. (NAN)

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