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The charges of
illegal arms shipment leveled against one Iranian and three Nigerians
before a Magistrate Court in Abuja, was yesterday struck out, following
the filling of a similar charge against the accused persons before a
Federal High Court sitting in Lagos.

At the resumed
hearing of the case, the prosecutor, Moses Idakwo, informed the court
that a fresh charge has been filed before a Federal High Court in Lagos
due to the fact that the court in Lagos can easily be moved to inspect
the exhibits (The arms containers).

Also, the Federal
Government withdrew charges against two of the accused persons, Aliyu
Wammako and Mohammed Tukur, as the prosecutor said that the proof of
evidence does not directly link them with the commission of the crime.

The application for
withdrawal by the prosecution was contested by the lawyer representing
the Iranian, Chris Uche, who argued that it is a ploy to further
infringe on the right of the accused persons. One Iranian and three
Nigerians were last year charged before a Magistrate Court in Abuja for
allegedly conspiring to import and importing containers loaded with
assorted calibers of prohibited fire arms into Nigeria.

The charge against
the accused persons, Azim Aghajani, an Iranian; Ali Usman Abbas Jega;
Aliyu Oroji Wamako; and Muhammed Tukur Umar was yesterday withdrawn by
the federal government. Magistrate Hafsat Soso, in her ruling, granted
the application of the prosecution, saying they cannot be forced to
proceed with the trial.

But the joy of Azim
Aghajani and Ali Abbas Jega were short-lived as they were re-arrested
by men of the state security service shortly after stepping out of the
court.

“The nature of
information is importation of prohibited firearms, contrary to section
27 (1) (a) (11) (111) of the Firearms Act Laws of the Federation of
Nigeria 2004. Attempt to export prohibited firearms, contrary to
section 27 (a) (1) (11) (111). That between 7th and 15th July 2010,
Azim Aghajani and Ali Usman Abbas Jega conspired to import and did
import thirteen (13) twenty feet (13×20) containers loaded with
assorted calibers of prohibited firearms consisting of 60mm mortars,
120m HE mortars, 81mm mortars, 107mm rockets, and 23 mm Apit fot gmzu
23 into Apapa Port, with the jurisdiction of this court. This is
contrary to section 27 (a) (1) (11) (111) of the firearms Cap. F28 Laws
of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

“Also, that between 12th and 25th October 2010, Azim Aghajani, an
Iranian, Ali Usman Abbas Jega, Aliyu Oroji Wamako, and Muhammed Tukur
Umar conspired to import and did import thirteen (13) twenty feet
(13×20) containers loaded with assorted calibers of prohibited
firearms, consisting of 60mm mortars, 120m HE mortars, 81mm mortars,
107mm rockets, and 23 mm Apit for gmzu 23 into Apapa Port, with the
jurisdiction of this court, to Banjul, Gambia. This is contrary to
section 27 (a) (1) (11) (111) of the firearms Cap. F28 Laws of the
Federation of Nigeria, 2004.”