A Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the detention of two men accused of smuggling high-powered firearms into Nigeria, as the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) intensifies investigations into the alleged crime.
Justice Friday Ogazi ordered that Ejiogu Godson and Robert Eze be kept in custody for 15 days to allow Customs authorities complete their investigation and determine whether they will face prosecution.
The judge issued the remand order after granting an ex-parte application filed by the legal services department of the Nigeria Customs Service, Tin-Can Island Command, Apapa, Lagos.
The application, marked FHC/LAG/CR/601/2026, was presented before the court by Customs lawyer, Mrs Kehinde Bode-Ayeni, who argued that there were sufficient grounds to keep the suspects in custody while investigators unravel the full details of the alleged arms smuggling operation.
Bode-Ayeni told the court that the request was made under relevant provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, the Nigeria Customs Act 2023, the 1999 Constitution and the Federal High Court Rules.
According to court documents, Customs officers began tracking a suspicious container, identified as TEMU 1845369, on July 8, 2026, after receiving credible intelligence.
The container was reportedly opened five days later, on July 13, where officers allegedly discovered firearms and ammunition hidden inside.
Investigators claimed that further inquiries led to the arrest of Godson and Eze, who allegedly provided information about other individuals suspected of involvement in the alleged alteration and manipulation of Customs documents.
A Customs operative, N. Akpan, who provided an affidavit supporting the application, told the court that the suspects had made statements during interrogation, describing them as confessional.
The operative added that efforts were ongoing to arrest other suspected members of the alleged network, while investigators needed more time to travel to other locations, recover evidence and trace additional suspects.
Customs also warned that releasing the suspects could disrupt the investigation, claiming they were aware of the whereabouts of other persons still being sought by authorities.
The agency urged the court to grant the 15-day detention order, stressing that it was necessary in the interest of public safety and to allow a thorough investigation before possible prosecution.
After reviewing the application and submissions from the Customs lawyer, Justice Ogazi ruled that the request had merit and granted the order.
The judge directed that the two suspects be kept at a Nigerian Correctional Service facility and fixed August 25, 2026, for further proceedings, including possible arraignment.
