Court convicts 2 smugglers for attacking Customs Officers with charms

A Federal High Court sitting in Abeokuta, Ogun State, has been revealed to have sentenced two smugglers to terms of imprisonment for attacking Customs Officers with charms during smuggling operations.

The Nigeria Customs Service, therefore, successfully secured the conviction of two smugglers, namely, Felarun Oluwasegun and Fakorede Jelili, on Tuesday, February 6, 2024, in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The National Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Customs, Abdullahi Maiwada, in a statement for the Comptroller-General of Customs, indicated that the convictions stem from their involvement in assembling to contravene customs laws, possession of smuggled goods and assaulting Customs Officers with charms and horsewhips at Owoyele-Igbogila, Yewa-North Local Government, Ogun State in 2023.

Convicted smuggler

Felarun and Jelili was sentenced to two years imprisonment with hard labor without the option of fine by Justice Demi-Ajayi of the Federal High Court, Abeokuta.

The statement read in full:

NIGERIA CUSTOMS
@CustomsNG
PRESS RELEASE

Nigeria Customs Secures Conviction of 2 for Assault on Officers

…As Smugglers Sentenced to 2 Years Imprisonment with Hard Labor

1. The Nigeria Customs Service has successfully secured the conviction of two smugglers, Felarun Oluwasegun and Fakorede Jelili, on Tuesday, February 6, 2024, in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

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2. The convictions stem from their involvement in assembling to contravene customs laws, possession of smuggled goods and assaulting Customs Officers with charms and horsewhips at Owoyele-Igbogila, Yewa-North Local Government, Ogun State in 2023.

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3. Felarun and Jelili have been sentenced to 2 years imprisonment with hard labor without the option of fine by Honourable Justice Demi-Ajayi of the Federal High Court, Abeokuta.

The smugglers with their charms

4. The Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, asserted that 11 suspects were convicted for committing offences of improper importation, assault of Customs officers, possession of Pangolin scales meant for export, among other illicit items, while some other smuggling and related cases instituted in the courts are at various stages of prosecution and would be followed up diligently.

5. Felarun Oluwasegun and Fakorede Jelili were first arraigned in Court in May 2023 on a three-count charge and have been remanded at the correctional center in Abeokuta since then until their recent conviction.