A Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the remand of three individuals in connection with the alleged unlawful importation of pump-action rifles into Nigeria. Justice Friday Ogazi issued the remand order on Wednesday, requiring Kenneth Mbonu, Kenneth Agwu, and Choima Onuoha to remain in custody for 15 days, pending further investigation into the matter.

The suspects were apprehended by operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service following an investigation into container TEMU 184536/9, which arrived in the country aboard the vessel MV VELIKA on July 8, 2026. The court was informed that the firearms were concealed within the container, and upon examination on July 13, 2026, Customs officers discovered the illegal items, leading to the arrest of the three suspects.

This latest development follows a previous order by Justice Ogazi, who had remanded two other suspects, Ejiogu Godson and Revert Eze, also linked to the same firearms consignment. The Customs Service, represented by lawyers David Ereh and Kehinde Bode-Ayeni, filed an ex parte application requesting the remand of the new suspects, citing the need for additional time to complete their investigations.

In court, the Customs Service argued that the investigation could not be concluded within the constitutionally mandated 24 or 48 hours due to the complexity of the case. They emphasized that the alleged offenses were serious and fell under the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court. The agency expressed concerns that releasing the suspects could hinder ongoing investigations and allow them to assist other individuals involved in the case.

The court was also informed that the suspects had provided information that could lead to the identification of additional individuals involved in the forgery and manipulation of Customs records related to the illegal importation. The Customs Service is currently intensifying its efforts to apprehend these other suspects.

Justice Ogazi has scheduled the next hearing for September 1, 2026, at which time the court will review the progress of the investigation and consider the possibility of arraignment for the suspects. This case highlights the ongoing efforts of Nigerian authorities to combat illegal arms trafficking and uphold national security.