Mohammed Shosanya
Justice Abimbola Awogboro of a Lagos Federal High Court,Thursday,ordered the remand of an American at the custody of the Nigeria Correctional Service,for allegedly importing firearms into Nigeria.
The accused,Donn Perkins,who claims
to be a former United State Marine, was arraigned on a four-count charge of the offences.
Justice Awogboro ordered the remand of the defendant after listening to counsel’s submissions on the matter in which he fixed June 6 and 7 for commencement of the defendant’s trial.
Arraigning the defendant on Thursday,the prosecutor,Mrs. Kehinde Bode-Ayeni,told the court the he was arrested sometimes in February 2023, at the Tin-can Island, Apapa, Lagos.
She disclosed the arms and ammunition the defendant arrested with as: one piece of 5.56mm AK47, styled rifle (Tavor) serial No. 1452 with three magazines and one drum, one piece of Ak47 7.62mm variant serial No: 9335724 with four magazines, Ruger magnum .357 Revolver with serial No. 17819337, Ruger 380 pistol with serial no; 79047837 and XD 45 pistol with serial No. BY558431 and two magazines.
She also told the court the American illegally brought into the country: a total of 1,064 rounds of 5.56mm live ammunition, 119 rounds of .357mm live ammunition, 62 rounds of.32mm automatic ammunition, 29 rounds of 9mm live ammunition, 25 rounds of AK47 7.62mm special live ammunition, 39 rounds of 22mm live ammunition, 47 rounds of 45mm automatic live ammunition, 1 round of .40mm live of ammunition and 54 rounds of .380mm Ruger live ammunition.
The prosecutor further told the court that the defendant hid the arms and ammunition in a 1x20ft Container No: TGHU0S010362 and illegally brought them into the country through Tin-Can Island, Apapa, Lagos.
According to her, the offence committed by the defendant contravened sections section 18 and 19 of the Firearms Act, Cap F28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 (As amended), and punishable under section 27 (1) (a) (lil) of the same Act.
The American pleaded not guilty to the charges.The prosecutor asked for a trial date, and prayed the court to remand him in prison custody pending the determination of the charge.
But the defendant’s lawyer, Blessing Jaiyeola, pleaded with the court to remand her client in the complainant’s custody, till when she will file his bail application.
She told the court that her client was an Ex-Us marine, only came to stay in Nigeria to stay with the items arrested with him.
She prayed for a short date, to enable her file the bail application.
