Two Chinese nationals, Mr. Shu Xiang Quan and Mr. Wu Sheng He and one Nigerian Mr. Ugochukwu Frank have all been arraigned in court by the Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A of the Nigerian Customs Service for smuggling activities.
According to a statement signed by the Spokesman of the FOU, Zone A, Mr. Jerry Attah, the three men were arraigned before Hon. Justice  Mohammed Hassan of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi Lagos State on Thursday 29th December 2016 on a four (4) count charge of storing and exporting prohibited items.
The three suspects have been remanded in Ikoyi Prison for trial as the case was adjourned to January 5th and 23rd, 2017 respectively. Badejogbin David ESQ who led the legal team of the Nigeria Customs Service prayed that the court expedite the legal proceedings to serve as deterrent to others.
Speaking on the arrest, Controller, FOU, Zone A, Comptroller Haruna Mamudu stated that, “part of the responsibility of the Federal Operations Unit is to enforce different International protocols and conventions that have continued to increase the responsibilities of the Nigeria Customs Service most especially in area of trade facilitation.
“Notably, the United Nations charter on preservation of endangers species entails that Customs Administrations globally protect wild life by intercepting illegal trade on such animals.
The comptroller said that the seized tusks and unprocessed animal scale would be handed over to the Nigeria Environment Standards and Regulatory Enforcement Agency (NESREA) for further action. He said his Unit would not relent in its effort in intercepting all contrabands from either going out or coming into the country.