Court’s Inability To Get Translator Stalls Arraignment Of Alleged Smugglers

The inability 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 Aug. 26,
to make provision for an interpreter.

Speaking to newsmen after the court adjourned, Mr Smart Akande,
Legal Adviser to the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) listed the
names of the suspect as: Murybine Berete, Traore Djakouba, Isiaka
Musa, Mohammed Berete and Sediki Berete all Guinean national.

According to him, during a recent inspection by the Comptroller
General of Customs, rtd Col. Hameed Ali, the matter which had to do
with smuggling of pangolins will not be swept under the carpet.

He pointed out that the suspects would be charged to court for
prosecution.

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

“Because the interpreter was not available due to the fact that
the court does not have the facility today, the matter was
adjourned to Aug. 26 for arraignment, hoping that the interpreter
will be present to interpret the charges to them,” he said.

Akande noted that the court had ordered that the suspects be
remained in customs custody pending the arraignment.

He said that the suspects are being charged for four count of
being concerned with exporting contraband goods, concerned with
storage, loading and bringing in the contraband.

“In other words, for them to have exported, they must have
loaded it somewhere and this is an offence, bringing it and storing
it somewhere are offences and they carry some penalty and that is
why we are here,” he said.

Mr Olayinka Lawal, counsel to the defendants also collaborated
the response of 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.(NAN)

The inability 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 Aug. 26,
to make provision for an interpreter.

Speaking to newsmen after the court adjourned, Mr Smart Akande,
Legal Adviser to the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) listed the
names of the suspect as: Murybine Berete, Traore Djakouba, Isiaka
Musa, Mohammed Berete and Sediki Berete all Guinean national.

According to him, during a recent inspection by the Comptroller
General of Customs, rtd Col. Hameed Ali, the matter which had to do
with smuggling of pangolins will not be swept under the carpet.

He pointed out that the suspects would be charged to court for
prosecution.

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

“Because the interpreter was not available due to the fact that
the court does not have the facility today, the matter was
adjourned to Aug. 26 for arraignment, hoping that the interpreter
will be present to interpret the charges to them,” he said.

Akande noted that the court had ordered that the suspects be
remained in customs custody pending the arraignment.

He said that the suspects are being charged for four count of
being concerned with exporting contraband goods, concerned with
storage, loading and bringing in the contraband.

“In other words, for them to have exported, they must have
loaded it somewhere and this is an offence, bringing it and storing
it somewhere are offences and they carry some penalty and that is
why we are here,” he said.

Mr Olayinka Lawal, counsel to the defendants also collaborated
the response of 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.(NAN)