Smugglers Remanded For Attacking Customs Officers With Charms

A Federal High court sitting in Abeokuta on Wednesday remanded two suspected smugglers, Felarun Oluwasegun and Fakore in a correctional facility for attacking officers of the Nigeria Customs Service with charms and horsewhip.

The suspects were arraigned on a-three count charge bordering on assault, illegal importation of 37 bags of foreign parboiled rice and unlawful possession of contrabands.

The customs’ prosecutor, Vivian Aigbadon told the court that the accused persons committed the offences on Tuesday, February 21 at Owoyele axis of Igbogila in the Yewa-North Local Government Area of the State.

Aigbadon said, the suspects connived and inflicted physical injuries on two operatives simply identified as Joseph and Echem while performing their statutory functions as anti – smuggling operatives.

Aigbadon further told the court that the offences contravaned Section 11 (a), Cap “C45” of the Customs and Excise Management Act, punishable under the law of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

Moving a motion for their bail applications, the defence counsel, O.O Oyedele prayed the court to grant his clients bail on ground of their health,he claimed they sustained live- threatening injuries during the clash with the anti-smuggling operatives.

Justice Adefunmilayo Demi-Ajayi of the Federal High Court ordered that the suspects be remanded in a correctional facility in Abeokuta pending the hearing of their bail applications.

Justice Demi-Ajayi however, adjourned rulling on their bail applications till 30th of May, 2023.