A Federal High Court in Kano has remanded three men over the alleged possession and trafficking of 47 endangered wildlife species intercepted by operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
The defendants, Nasib Ahmed, Abba Abdullahi and Surajo Abdullahi, are facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and possession of endangered wildlife species.
They pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to them.
Prosecution counsel, Mr Smart Akande, told the court that the defendants allegedly committed the offences on Aug. 26 in Kano.
Akande alleged that the defendants conspired to traffic 47 endangered wildlife species prohibited under the First Schedule of the Endangered Species (Control of International Trade and Traffic) Act, 2016.
He said the offences contravened Section 5(1) of the Act and were punishable under the same provision and Section 7(3) of the legislation.
The prosecutor urged the court to expedite the case, saying some of the confiscated animals were baby monkeys requiring immediate care at a conservation facility and, where possible, reunification with their mothers.
Defence counsel, Mr Adamu Muhammad, applied for bail, arguing that the defendants had already spent time in custody and were suffering as a result.
Justice Muhammad Shuaibu, however, ordered that the three defendants be remanded in a correctional centre pending determination of the bail application and hearing of the substantive case.
The court adjourned the matter until Oct. 7, 2026, for hearing of the bail application and the substantive case.
The defendants remain in custody pending the court’s consideration of their bail application.
