The Nigeria Customs Service has achieved a significant legal victory with the successful conviction of two smugglers, Felarun Oluwasegun and Fakorede Jelili, in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Tuesday, February 6, 2024.
The convictions resulted from their involvement in violating customs laws, engaging in the possession of smuggled goods, and assaulting Customs Officers with charms and horsewhips at Owoyele-Igbogila, Yewa-North Local Government, Ogun State, in 2023.
Felarun and Jelili received a sentence of 2 years imprisonment with hard labor, and they are not eligible for fines. The sentencing was pronounced by Honourable Justice Demi-Ajayi of the Federal High Court, Abeokuta.
Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, emphasized that a total of 11 suspects have been convicted for various offenses, including improper importation, assault of Customs officers, possession of Pangolin scales meant for export, and other illicit items. He further stated that ongoing smuggling and related cases are diligently proceeding through the legal process.
Felarun Oluwasegun and Fakorede Jelili were initially arraigned in Court in May 2023 on a three-count charge. Since then, they had been remanded at the correctional center in Abeokuta until their recent conviction.
