Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) have arraigned a logistics company, Ekesons Parcels Services Limited alongside its three officials, before a Federal High Court, Abeokuta, Ogun State, for unlawful importation of military apparatus.
The four officials arraigned alongside the company are; Cecilia Chukwuma, Ezeh Harrison Chukwuebuka; Okoeguale Eromosele Honesty who are Sales Representatives, Audit Supervisor/Quality Control Officer and Logistic Personnel in the company.
The logistics firm and its officials arraignment was sequel to their arrest by the enforcement officers
Federal Operations Unit, FOU Zone ‘A, led by Comptroller Mohammed Shuaibu.
Arraigning the defendants before the court presided over by Justice Agatha Okeke, on Wednesday, the prosecutors, Michael Osong and Mrs. Vivian Aigbadon, told the court that the defendants were arrested with the smuggled items on May 25, 2025, along Shagamu/Ijebu-Ode expressway, Ogun State.
The prosecutor told the court that the suspected smuggled military apparatus include; 12 cartons of Safariand Bullet Proof Vests; cartons of Ballistic Helmets and 12 cartons of Safaridand Strike Face Hard Armor Panel, which were security controlled items.
The prosecutors also told the court that the suspected smuggled items were concealed in Ekesons Mercedes Benz Truck with registration number: T-24623-LA.
The defendants actions according to the prosecutors, contravened sections 516 and 428(d) of the Criminal Code Act, Cap. C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and punishable under the same Act.
Their acts also contrary to section 233(1)(b) and 234(1)(a)of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023 and punishable under the same section Act.
The second to fourth defendants plea of not guilty, and plea of not guilty was entered for the logistics firm.
Following defendants’ plea of not guilty, the prosecutors asked for a trial date, while also urged the court to remand them in the custody pending trial.
In his submission, Richardson Onyebueke and Bola Odukale, holding the brief of Sixtus Onuka. But they did not file their clients’ bail applications.
However, the defendants’ trial has been adjourned to October 22, 2025.
Charges against the defendants read: “That you, Ekesons Parcels Services Limited, Cecilia Chukwuma, (Sales Representatives), Female, Adult, Ezeh Harrison Chukwuebuka, (Audit Supervisor/Quality Control Officer), Male, Adult, Okoeguale Eromosele Honesty (Logistic Personnel), Male, Adult and others now at large, on or about the 25th day of May, 2025, along Shagamu-Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, Abeokuta, did conspire among yourselves to commit a felony, to wit: improper importation and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 516 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap. C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
“That you, Ekesons Parcels Services Limited, Cecilia Chukwuma Sales Representatives), Female, Adult, Ezeh Harrison Chukwuebuka (Audit Supervisor/Quality Control Officer), Male, Adult, Okoeguale Eromosele Honesty (Logistic Personnel), Male, Adult and others now at large, on or about the 25th day of May, 2025, along Shagamu-ljebu Ode, Ogun State, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, Abeokuta, were concerned in importing 12 cartons of Safariland Bullet Proof Vests, 12 cartons of Ballistic Helmets and 12 cartons of Safariland Strike Face Hard Armor Panel, concealed in other goods in Ekesons Mercedez Benz Truck with Registration Number: T24623LA, which are security controlled items contrary to prohibition, without End-user Certificate(s) and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 233(1)(b) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023 and punishable under the same section Act.
“That vou, Ekesons Parcels Services Limited, Cecilia Chukwuma, Sales Representatives), Female, Adult, Ezeh Harrison Chukwuebuka (Audit Supervisor/Quality Control Officer), Male, Adult, Okoeguale Eramosele Honesty (Logistic Personnel), Male, Adult and others naw at large, on or about the 20th dav of May, 2005. along Shagamu-Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, Abeokuta, were found to be in possession of unlawfully imported 12 cartons of Safariand Bullet Proof Vests. cartons of Ballistic Helmets and 12 cartons of Safaridand Strike Face Hard Armor Panel, and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 234(1)(a) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023 and punishable under section 234(3) of the same section Act.
“That vou, Ekesons Parcels Services Limited, Cecilia Chukwuma Sales Representatives), Female, Adult, Ezeh Harrison Chukwuebuka (Audit Supervisor/Quality Control Officer), Male, Adult, Okoeguale Eromosele Honesty (Logistic Personnel), Male, Adult and others now at large, on or about the 25 day of May, 2025, along Shagamu-Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, Abeokuta, were found to be in possession of military accoutrements, namely: 12 cartons of Safariland Bullet Proof Vests, 12 cartons of Ballistic Helmets and 12 cartons of Safariland Strike Face Hard Armor Panel, furnished for the use of the Armed Forces of Nigeria without giving a satisfactory account of your possession and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 428(d) of the Criminal Code Act, Cap. C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and punishable under the same section of the Act.”
