A Federal High Court in Kano on Wednesday remanded three men for alleged possession of 47 endangered wildlife that were intercepted by the operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
Nasib Ahmed, Abba Abdullahi and Surajo Abdullahi, are charged with conspiracy and possession of endangered species of wildlife.
When the charges were read to them, they however pleaded not guilty.
The Prosecution Counsel, Mr Smart Akande, told the court that the defendants committed the offence on Aug. 26, in Kano.
Akande said the offence contravened the provision of section 5(1) of Endangered Wildlife Species prohibited in the first schedule and punishable under the same section 7(3) of the Act.
He further said that the defendants conspired and trafficked the endangered wildlife species that were prohibited under the First Schedule of the Endangered Species (Control of International Trade and Traffic) Act, 2016.
Akande urged the court to expedite the case, saying some of the confiscated animals were baby monkeys that needed to be taken back to a conservation facility for care and, where possible, reunite them with their mothers.
The Defence Counsel, Mr Adamu Muhammad, made a bail application on behalf of his clients, saying that they have been suffering in custody.
The Judge, Justice Muhammad Shuaibu, adjourned the matter until Oct. 7, for hearing of the substantive matter and the bail application.
He ordered that the defendants be remanded in a correctional centre.
(NAN)
