The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Ogun Area Command 1, has arraigned four suspects before the Federal High Court, Abeokuta, Ogun State, for allegedly belonging to a smuggling syndicate who import foreign rice into the country without payment of the approved duties.
The four suspects – Azeez Zonu, Ebenezer Adeyemi, Adeniyi Olalekan and Salahudeen Taiye, were separately arraigned on five-count charges bothering on smuggling, evasion of import duties, possession of smuggled items, as well as assisting in smuggling, among others.
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The Customs counsel, Abbas Ibrahim, told the court that the offences were contrary to and punishable under section 47 of the Customs and Excise Management Act, Cap C45 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
The suspects, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The defendants’ counsel, S.O. Kayode, applied for the bail of the four suspects, submitting that the accused persons are presumed not guilty until proven otherwise.
Justice Mohammad Abubakar, granted the accused N2million bail with two sureties in like sum.
The suspects were to be remanded at the Nigerian Correctional Centre (NCC) until they meet the bail conditions.
The judge adjourned the matter to April 26, 2021, and May 4, 2021, for the commencement of trial.
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