A Federal High Court, Kano Division, on Wednesday remanded three men for alleged possession of 47 endangered wildlife intercepted by the operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

Nasib ‌⁠‍‍⁠⁠‌⁠‍‍⁠‍‌‌Ahmed, Abba Abdullahi and Surajo Abdullahi are charged with conspiracy and possession of endangered species of wildlife.

‎When the charges were read to them, they, however, pleaded not guilty.

‎The Prosecution Counsel, Smart Akande, told the court that the defendants committed the offence on August 26, in Kano.

‎Mr Akande said the offence contravened the provision of section 5(1) of the Endangered Wildlife Species Prohibition in the first schedule and was punishable under the same section 7(3) of the Act.
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‎He further said that the defendants conspired and trafficked the endangered wildlife species that were prohibited under the First Schedule of the Endangered Species (Control of International Trade and Traffic) Act, 2016.
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‎Mr Akande urged the court to expedite the case, saying some of the confiscated animals were baby monkeys that needed to be taken back to a conservation facility for care and, where possible, reunite them with their mothers.

‎The Defence Counsel, Adamu Muhammad, made a bail application on behalf of his clients, saying that they had been suffering in custody.
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‎The Judge, Justice Muhammad Shuaibu, adjourned the matter until October 7 for hearing of the substantive matter and the bail application.

He ordered that the defendants be remanded in a correctional centre.

(NAN)