The Federal Government, yesterday, withdrew charges before a Federal High Court Lagos, against 15 Russian sailors, charged with unlawful importation of arms to Nigeria.

The Russians are:  Zhelyazkov Andrey, Savchenko Sergel, Lopatin Alexey, Baranovskly Nikolay, Llia Shubov, Dimitry Bannyrh, Alexander Tsarikov and Kononov Sergel.

Others are Chichkanov Vasily, Varlygin Igor, Komilov Alexander, Mishin Pavel, Korotchenko Andrey, Vorobev Mikhail, Stepan Oleksiuk and their vessel, MV Myre Seadiver.

The accused were charged on four-counts bordering on unlawful importation of firearms to Nigeria, as well as non-disclosure of content of vessel.

When the case was mentioned, the prosecutor, Mrs. Usman Hajara, informed the court of an amended charge before it.

She told the court that charges had been dropped against all previous accused adding that the amended charge now reflected the names of a Nigerian, Stanley Chineye and his company, Maritime Services Ltd.