By Innocent Anaba
LAGOS – The Federal Government, yesterday, re-arraigned an Iranian, Azim Aghajami and his alleged Nigerian collaborator, Ali Abbas Usman Jega, before a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, on a fresh four-count charge of importation into Nigeria without license, a consignment, a 13X 20 feet container loaded with firearms and ammunition, an offence prohibited under section 18 of the Firearms Act Cap F28 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and Miscellaneous Offence Acts Cap M17, Laws of the Federation 2004.

The accused persons were also charged with possession of bombs and grenades, categorised as Prohibited Firearms under Item 4 of Part 1 of the Schedule to the Firearms Act Cap F28 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and contrary to section 3 of the constitution. They pleaded not guilty.

Counsel to the accused persons, after the charge was read them and their plea taken, prayed the court to be remanded in Prison custody as against the State’s Security Service, SSS, custody, where they had been in accordance to the order of the court, following an application by the prosecution.

The trial Judge, Justice Okechukwu Okeke, ordered the remand of the accused person in Ikoyi Prison and adjourned further hearing in the matter till today.

The fresh charge preferred against the accused persons, read “that you, Azim Aghajami (m) and Ali Abbas Usman Jega (m) on and about July 17, 2010 at Lagos did import into Nigeria 13 container loads of firearms prohibited under part 1 of the schedule to the firearms act Cap F28 laws of the federation of Nigeria 2004 and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 1(14)(a)(i) of the Miscellaneous offences Act Cap M17 laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and punishable under section 1(140(a) and (b) of the same Act.”

* That you Azim Aghajami and Ali Abbas on and about July 17, 2010 at Lagos did import into Nigeria without a licence 13 container loads of firearms prohibited under part 1 of the schedule to the firearms act Cap F28 laws of the federation of Nigeria 2004 and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 18 of the firearms Act Cap F28 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and punishable under section 27 of the same Act.”

*That you, Azim and Ali Abbas on and about July 17, 2010 at Lagos Nigeria did recklessly make a false declaration of 13 container loads of firearms as glass wool and pellets of stones on the original Bill of Lading being a document made for the purpose of Customs and Excise and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 161(1)(a) of the Customs and Excise Management Act Cap C45 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and punishable under section 161 of the same Act.”