The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Kano/Jigawa Area Command, has arraigned three men before the Federal High Court in Kano over alleged illegal possession and trafficking of endangered wildlife.
The defendants—Nasib Ahmed, Surajo Abdullahi and Mustapha Abdullahi—were arraigned on a two-count amended charge bordering on conspiracy, illegal possession, trafficking and trade in protected wildlife species.
Prosecution counsel, Mr Smart Akande, told the court that the defendants were intercepted by Customs operatives along the Kano-Daura Road on August 25, 2026, during an intelligence-led operation targeting wildlife trafficking.
According to the prosecution, the suspects were allegedly found with 48 live animals, including four caracal wild cats, four chimpanzees, two baby gorillas, seven red patas monkeys, two galagos, a honey badger, two albino alligators, six rock fowls, a civet cat and 19 greater bustard birds.
The prosecution alleged that the defendants conspired to possess and traffic the animals in violation of laws protecting endangered species.
The charges were filed under the Endangered Species (Control of International Trade and Traffic) Act, as amended in 2016, and the National Environmental (Protection of Endangered Species in International Trade) Regulations, 2011. The Customs Service also relied on Section 55(1)(i) of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, and Nigeria’s obligations under CITES.
When the charges were read before Justice S.M. Shuaibu, all three defendants pleaded not guilty.
The prosecution told the court that some of the seized animals remain under the care of wildlife specialists at the Kano/Jigawa Area Command, while others have reportedly been transferred to a wildlife conservation centre in Enugu.
Defence counsel, Mr Adamu Muhammad, subsequently applied for bail, prompting the judge to adjourn the matter to October 7, 2026, for hearing of the bail application and commencement of the prosecution’s case.
Justice Shuaibu also ordered that the defendants be remanded in a correctional facility pending the hearing.
Speaking after the proceedings, Muhammad said the defendants had exercised their constitutional right to plead guilty or not guilty, stressing that the prosecution must establish its allegations with evidence.
The case has been adjourned to October 7 for hearing of the bail application and commencement of trial.