Operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) have arraigned a Chinese man, Zheng Chao Hong, a.k.a Zheng Gaopeng, and a Nigeria lady, Marcus Catherine Amaka, for illegal possession 7, 200 Kilogrames of pangolin scales.
Both Zheng and Amaka were arraigned before Justice Yellim Bogoro led-court on a three count-charge of conspiracy, unlawful possession and dealing in 7, 200 Kilogrames of the pangolin scales, a specimen of endangered wildlife species, which were concealed in 179 sacks.
The prosecutors, Barrister Michel Osong with Mrs. Vivian Aigbadon, in a charge numbered FHC/L/70C/2024, told the court that the two defendants committed the offences on August 8, 2024, at Iperu-Remo, Ogun State and Ikeja, Lagos State.
The prosecutors told the court that the two defendants at the same me time, offered to sale the said pangolin scales.
The prosecutors told the court that the illegal acts of the defendants, contravened section section 516 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap. C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
The also told the court that the defendants’ acts, are contrary to contrary to Section 7(3) of the National Environmental (Protection of Endangered Species in International Trade) Regulations, 2011 and punishable under Section 7(4) of the same Act.
The two defendants have however pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Based on their not guilty plea, their lawyers, Barrister A. O. Fashugba and Ernest Ukpai, moved their bail applications and urged the court to admit their clients to bail in the most liberal terms. Though, the bail applications were vehemently opposed by the prosecutors.
However, the judge after evaluating parties’ submissions, admitted the defendants to bail with some terms.
In particular, the judge admitted bail to the Chinese man in the sum of N5 million with two sureties in like sum.
One of the sureties, according to the judge must be a China citizen and the second surety must be a landed property owner with the court’s jurisdiction.
The judge also ordered the sureties to deposed to affidavit of means, and to deposit their two passport photography with the court’s Registrar. While also ordered that the prosecutors must join in verifying the land documents.
The trial of the two defendants has been fixed for July 14, 2025. do
Charges Against The Defendants Read: “That you, Marcus Catherine Amaka, Adult, Female and Zheng Chao Hong (A.K.A Zheng Gaopeng), Adult, Male, 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 kilogrammes, 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 Zheng Chao Hong (A.K.A Zheng Gaopeng), Ault, Male, on or about the 8 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 kilogrammes, a specimen 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, 2011 and punishable under Section 7(4) of the same Act.
“That YOU, Marcus Catherine Amaka, Adult, Female and Zheng Chao Hong AKA Zheng Gaopeng), Ault, Male, on or about the 8th day of August, 2024 chao Hong, at Iperu and Ikeja, Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did offer for sale 179 sacks of Pangolin Scales, weighing 7, 200 kilogrammes, a specimen of endangered wildlife species which possession and trade is absolutely prohibited in the First Schedule of the Endangered Species (Control of International Trade and Traffic)Act, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 7(3) of the National Environmental (Protection of Endangered Species in International Trade) Regulations, 2011 and punishable under Section 7(4) of the same Regulations.”
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