The inability of a division of the Federal High Court in Lagos to get a translator on Wednesday stalled the scheduled arraignment of some men alleged to be involved in smuggling.

Justice Nicholas Oweibo adjourned the arraignment until August 26 to make provision for an interpreter.

“Today we are in court to arraign the suspects but unfortunately, we could not proceed because some of them are foreigners and they are supposed to understand the charges before them.

“The charges should be read in a language they understand so that they can give a plea.

“Because the interpreter was not available, the matter was adjourned to August 26 for arraignment, hoping that the interpreter will be present to interpret the charges to them,” the legal adviser to the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Smart Akande, said.

Mr Akande noted that the court had ordered that the suspects – Murybine Berete, Traore Djakouba, Isiaka Musa, Mohammed Berete and Sediki Berete -be kept in customs custody pending the arraignment.

He said that the suspects, all Ghanaian nationals, are being charged for four-count of exporting contraband goods, storage, loading and bringing in contraband.

According to him, the matter, which has to do with smuggling of pangolins found out during a recent inspection by the Comptroller General of Customs, will not be swept under the carpet.

Mr Olayinka Lawal, Counsel to the defendants, Olayinka Lawal, also collaborated the response of Mr Akande on the issue of adjournment which was due to the defendants not understanding any Nigerian language as well as the court language.

He hoped that by the adjourned date, an interpreter would have been gotten for the suspects.