Daud Olatunji
The Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the remand of two men, Ejiogu Godson and Robert Eze, for 15 days over alleged illegal importation of high-calibre firearms and ammunition into Nigeria.
Justice Friday Ogazi issued the remand order following an ex parte application by the Nigeria Customs Service seeking more time to investigate the alleged arms shipment and identify other persons suspected to be connected with the case.
The suspects were ordered to be held in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service pending further developments in the investigation.
The case, marked FHC/LAG/CR/601/2026, was brought before the court by counsel to the NCS, Kehinde Bode-Ayeni.
The Customs lawyer told the court that investigators had reasonable grounds to detain the suspects while efforts continued to unravel the circumstances surrounding the alleged importation.
According to an affidavit filed in support of the application and sworn to by a Customs operative, Nathaniel Akpan, officers began monitoring container TEMU 1845369 on July 8, 2026, following what was described as credible intelligence.
Akpan stated that the container was examined five days later, on July 13, and that Customs officials allegedly discovered high-calibre firearms and ammunition concealed inside.
He said subsequent investigations led to the arrest of Godson and Eze, who allegedly provided information linking other individuals to suspected forgery and manipulation of Customs documentation associated with the shipment.
The Customs operative further told the court that the two suspects had made statements under caution which investigators considered confessional.
He, however, did not disclose in the court papers the specific firearms and quantity of ammunition allegedly recovered from the container.
Akpan said investigators were still working to apprehend other persons allegedly connected with the shipment, adding that some aspects of the investigation required officials to travel to other jurisdictions to recover exhibits and identify additional suspects.
He argued that concluding the investigation within the constitutional 24- or 48-hour period would not be practicable because of the scope of the inquiry.
The Customs operative also expressed concern that releasing the suspects could undermine the investigation, particularly because they were allegedly aware of the whereabouts of other persons being sought by investigators.
Counsel consequently urged the court to grant the 15-day remand order to enable the NCS to complete its investigation and take appropriate steps towards the arraignment of the suspects.
Justice Ogazi, after considering the application, held that it was meritorious and granted the request.
The judge ordered that Godson and Eze be remanded in custody for 15 days and adjourned the matter until August 25, 2026, for an update on the investigation and possible arraignment.
The suspects have not been convicted of any offence, and the allegations against them remain subject to determination by the court.
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