Nigeria: Iranian charged over arms shipment

  1. Posted on Friday 26 November 2010 - 11:43
    Samuel
    Image of Samuel
    Samuel Okocha, AfricaNews reporter in Lagos, Nigeria
    An Iranian man Azim Aghajani was charged with arms trafficking in a court in the Nigerian capital, Abuja, in connection with a shipment of weapons intercepted in October. The shipment included rockets and grenades hidden among building materials.
    gavel
    According to the BBC, Court documents identified Aghajani as a Tehran businessman, and also a member of Iran's Revolutionary Guards.

    "This is a matter of great national importance, and if I may add, it has international implications," BBC quoted prosecutor Matthew Idakwo as saying. "These arms were imported from Iran to our country. It is of great interest to the world."

    The court said Mr Aghajani had been charged with attempting to import prohibited arms into the West African country and conspiring to send the illegal shipment to Gambia.

    The Iranian did not enter a plea, saying he needed his embassy to represent him before doing so.

    Three Nigerians were also charged in connection with the arms shipment, while two of the three were only charged with conspiring to re-export the shipment to Gambia.

    All four men are said to be in custody in the Nigerian capital, Abuja.

Reactions

  1. Posted on Friday 26 November 2010 20:58
    ONYIGBO
    Image of ONYIGBO

    uzochukwu nnabuenyi
    1 berichten
    Lid sinds November 2010

    The offense alleged to have been committed by the accused is serious considering the volatile nature of Nigeria and the fact that election is at hand. I think the arms are not to be reshipped to Gambia but, are meant for Nigeria. I know some radical fundamentalist are responsible for the arms presence in Nigeria. Iranian government on the other hand cannot deny not knowing about the arms. Iranian president should prove his innocence in this mess.

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