FG charges elephant group for importing illegal fertilizer

The Federal Government has filed a criminal charge against Elephant Group Limited and its Managing Director, Tunji Owoeye, over alleged unlawful importation of urea fertilizer, which the prosecution said, was one of the raw materials used for the building of Improvised Explosive Devices.

The charge, marked FHC/207C/17, was filed before the Federal High Court in Lagos by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN).

It was signed on behalf of the AGF by an Assistant Chief State Counsel in the Department of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, A. K. Alilu.

In the charge filed before Justice Mojisola Olatoregun, the Federal Government alleged that Elephant Group and its Managing Director, Owoeye, were involved in an unlawful importation of 13, 199.532 metric tonnes of urea fertilizer into the country on or about August 29, 2016.

The prosecution claimed that urea fertilizer “is a component of Improvised Explosive Devices,” adding that its importation was prohibited as of the time when the defendants allegedly brought it into the country.

The one count pressed against the defendants border on improper importation of goods, which the AGF said, was punishable under Section 47(1)(c)of the Custom and Excise Management Act Cap C. 45 Laws of the Federation 2004.

The defendants had been scheduled for arraignment before Justice Olatoregun on Monday.

The case was, however, stalled as the judge did not sit.

It was consequently adjourned till November 28, 2017.