The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has arraigned Marcus Catherine for unlawful dealing and possession of Pangolin Scales weighing 7,200 kilograms.
Her arraignment was before a Federal High Court, Lagos, presided over by Justin Yellim Bogoro, on Thursday, on charges of conspiracy and dealing and possessing the prohibited animal scales.
Pangolin, is a specimens of endangered wildlife species absolutely prohibited in the First Schedule of the endangered Species Act.
Lawyer to the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Barrister (Mrs) Vivian Aigbadon, who led Michael Osong, while arraigning the defendant, told the court that the defendant had on August 8, 2024, conspired with others now at large to commit the offences.
The Customs’ prosecutor also told the court the defendant and other now at large, committed the offences the offences at Iperu, ogun State and Ikeja, Lagos.
She told the court that during the arrest, the defendant was found to be in possession of 179 sacks of Pangolin Scales.
She told the purt that the offences of the defendant, contravened sections 516 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap. C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. And Section 7(3) of the National Environmental (Protection of Endangered Species in International Trade) Regulations, 201 and punishable under Section 7(4) of the same Act.
The defendant had pleaded not guilty to the charges when read to him.
Based on her plea of not guilty, the prosecutor asked the court for a trial date, as well, urged the court to remand her in the facility of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS) till the determination of the charge.
However, lawyer to the defendant, Barrister Blessing Awachuo, informed the court that she had filed her client’s bail application same has been served on the prosecutor.
She thereafter moved the bail application.
Upon moving the bail application, the presiding judge, Justice Bogoro, admitted bail to the defendant in soke terms and conditions.
The judge, while adjourning the matter to March 18, 2025 for trial, ordered that the defendant be remanded in the NCoS’ custody, pending the fulfillment of the bail terms.
Charges Against The Defendant Reads: “That you, Marcus Catherine Amaka, Adult, Female and others now at large, on or about the 8th day of August, 2024, at Iperu and Ikeja, Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did conspire among yourselves to commit a felony to wit: being in possession of 179 sacks of Pangolin Scales, weighing 7, 200 Kilogrames, being products of an endangered wildlife specimen and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 516 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap. C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
“That you, Marcus Catherine Amaka, Adult, Female and others now at large, on or about the 8th day of August, 2024, at Iperu and Ikeja, Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this honourable Court, were found to be in possession of 179 sacks of Pangolin Scales, weighing 7, 200 Kilogrames, a specimens of endangered wildlife species absolutely prohibited in the First Schedule of the endangered Species Act, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 7(3) of the National Environmental (Protection of Endangered Species in International Trade) Regulations, 201 and punishable under Section 7(4) of the same Act. “
