A man, Steven Chinonso, who specializes in selling pangolin scales has been jailed by a Federal High Court, Lagos.
Chinonso, also known Chukwunonso Stephen Obunadike) was jailed for his illicit business by Justice Yellim Bogoro, after he pleaded guilty to the charges of conspiracy, and selling of pangolin scales, made against him and two the by the operatives of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS).
NCS had charged the convicted businessman before the court alongside the dou of James igboeze and Mbah Chinedu on the offence sometimes last year.
During their arraignment the NCS through its prosecutor Barrister Michael Osong, had told the court that the defendants arrest was made possible by an ‘Intel’ provided Wildlife Justice Commission for the Nigerian Customs Service.
He also told the court that we’re arrested with the possession of 3,761.1 Kilogrames of Pangolin Scales, which categorized as ‘endangered species’.
He told the court that the defendants committed the illegal act on April 2, 2025, at Alatise Area of Ibeju Lekki, Lagos State.
He further told the court that the acts of the defendants contravened 5(1) of the Endangered Species (Control of International Trade and Traffic) (Amendment) Act, 2016 and punishable under section 5(1)(a) of the same Act. And section 9(3) of the National Environmental (Protection of Endangered Species in International Trade Regulations, 2011, and punishable under section 7(4) of the same Act.
All the defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
However, at the resumed hearing of the matter, the convicted man signified his intention to change his plea on the allegations.
Consequently, the charge was reread to him and he pleaded guilty to att the three counts charge.
Following his guilty plea, the prosecutor reviewed the facts of the case.
Justice Bogoro after confirming that the convict was a first time offender, sentenced him to one year imprisonment for each of the three counts. But was ordered to pay fine option of N200, 000, N200, 000 and N250, 000, on each on the counts.
The judge, while ordered that the jail-term shall run concurrently, held that the fine option shall run consecutively.
Further trial of the two other defendants, James Igboeze and Mbah Chinedu Christopher, has been adjourned to February 19, 2026.
Charges against the convict and other defendants read: “That you, James Igboeze, Mbah Chinedu Christopher, Steven Chinonso (a.k.a. Chukwunonso Stephen Obunadike) and others now at large, on or about the 2nd day of April, 2025, at Alatise Area of Ibeju Lekki, Lagos State, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, Lagos, did conspire among yourselves to commit a felony, to wit: offering for sale of Pangolin Scales, which are wildlife animals classified as endangered species 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, James Igboeze, Mbah Chinedu Christopher, Steven Chinonso (a.k.a. Chukwunonso Stephen Obunadike) and others now at large, on or about the 2nd day of April, 2025, at Alatise Area of Ibeju Lekki, Lagos State, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, Lagos, were found to be in possession of 3,761.1 Kilogrames of Pangolin Scales, endangered species which possession is absolutely prohibited and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 5(1) of the Endangered Species (Control of International Trade and Traffic) (Amendment) Act, 2016 and punishable under section 5(1)(a) of the same Act.
“That you, James Igboeze, Mbah Chinedu Christopher, Steven Chinonso (a.k.a. Chukwunonso Stephen Obunadike) and others now at large, on or about the 2nd day of April, 2025, at Alatise Area of Ibeju Lekki, Lagos State, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, Lagos, offered for sale 3,761.1 kilogrammes of Pangolin Scales, an endangered species, which 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 9(3) of the National Environmental (Protection of Endangered Species in International Trade Regulations, 2011, and punishable under section 7(4) of the same Act”.
