Absence of defendants, prosecution, stalls scheduled arraignment of clearing agents
By Jude-Ken Ojinnaka
A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has adjourned till October 30, 2024, the arraignment of five clearing agents; Emeka Nwosu, Kenneth Okwuma , Basil Nwolisa,
Kenneth Onulaka , and AlabI Ajoke Nafisat over alleged unlawfully removal of container from bonded Terminal with forged documents.
When the case was mentioned neither the defendants nor the Customs Prosecuting counsel were present in court, consequently, the presiding judge, Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke adjourned till 30th of October, 2024 for arraignment.
In an amended 8-count charge filed before the court by the Nigerian Custom Services, it was allegedly stated that ,Emeka Nwosu ‘M’, Kenneth Okwuma M’ Basil Nwolisa ‘M’, Kenneth Onulaka ‘M’ and Alabi Ajoke Nafisat ‘F’-and others now at large sometimes in December 2023 at Emong Bonded Terminal, ljora, Lagos conspired together to illegally remove 2X40ft Container Numbers/FCIUc870101/2 and MSCU 676343/7-without lawful authority and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 516 of the Criminal Code/Act Cap C38 Laws of Federation of Nigeria 2004 and punishable under the same Section of the Act.
The five defendants were also alleged to have altered Customs documents with intent to defraud and used the falsified documents to exit the container.