Skip to main content

Illegal Wood Exportation: 2 Businessmen Face Criminal Charges

They face a 17-count charge of attempted illegal exportation of logs of wood to China.

Two Lagos businessmen, Tope Ojo and Lukman Lawal, and their company, Deptop Nigeria Limited, have been arraigned before a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos. They face a 17-count charge of  attempted illegal exportation of logs of wood to China. Both have been remanded in prison custody pending the perfection of their bail conditions. 

In the suit (Number FHC/L/184C/16) filed before the court by the Nigerian Customs Service prosecuting counsel, Julius Ajakaye, it was alleged that Deptop Nigeria Limited, Ojo and Lawal, on March 31, 2016, attempted to export logs of wood, an action prohibited. The alleged offense took place at F.O. Filling Station, around Second Rainbow on Apapa/Oshodi Expressway. 

Image

It was further alleged that the two accused persons and their company took about 1.4 million logs of wood measuring 2134 mm length, 340 width and 310mm breadth in a 120-foot container to a warehouse belonging to one Ilesanmi Properties Limited at 147 Apapa/Oshodi Expressway in Lagos for the purpose of exportation to China. 

All the alleged offenses are contrary to and punishable under sections 166,(64)(1)(b) of the Custom and Excise Management Act, Cap C45 Laws of Federation of Nigeria 2004.

The accused persons pleaded not guilty. While arguing the bail application filed before the court, their lawyer, Mr. Kayode Bankole, urged the court to admit the accused persons to bail on liberal terms since they are presumed innocent until proven guilty .

Ajakaye, counsel to the Nigerian Customs Service, did not oppose the application.

In his ruling, the presiding judge, Justice Saliu Saidu, admitted the accused persons to bail in the sum of N10 million with two sureties each in like sum. One of the sureties, he said, must be a Grade 14 officer of a federal ministry or a ministry in Lagos State. He adjourned the matter till September 14 for trial. 

Justice Saidu also ordered that the accused persons should be remanded in prison custody until their bail conditions are fulfilled.

Topics
CRIME Legal