A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos State has ordered the remand of two men, Ejiogu Godson and Robert Eze, for 15 days over alleged smuggling of high-calibre firearms and ammunition into Nigeria.

Justice Friday Ogazi made the order on Friday following an ex parte application filed by the Nigeria Customs Service through its Legal Services Department, Tin-Can Island, Apapa, Lagos.

The application, marked FHC/LAG/CR/601/2026, was filed and moved by counsel for the NCS, Mrs Kehinde Bode-Ayeni.

Bode-Ayeni urged the court to grant the remand order to enable the Customs Service to conclude its investigation into the alleged offences and determine the appropriate charges against the suspects.

She said the application was brought pursuant to Sections 294 and 295 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, Section 6 of the Nigeria Customs Act 2023, Sections 35(1)(c), (5) and (7)(a) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, and Order 46 Rule 4(d) of the Federal High Court Rules.

Counsel told the court that there was probable cause to keep the suspects in custody while investigations continued.

The application was supported by a 15-paragraph affidavit deposed to by an NCS operative, identified as N. Akpan, alongside a written address and documentary exhibits.

According to the affidavit, Customs officers commenced monitoring container number TEMU 1845369 on July 8, 2026, following credible intelligence.

Akpan stated that when the container was examined on July 13, officers allegedly discovered firearms and ammunition concealed inside it.

He said further investigations led to the arrest of Godson and Eze, who allegedly provided information about other persons suspected of involvement in the alleged forgery and manipulation of Customs records and documents.

The deponent also told the court that the two suspects had made confessional statements under caution.

He added that efforts were ongoing to arrest other persons allegedly connected with the matter.

According to him, the investigation could not reasonably be concluded within the constitutionally prescribed 24 or 48 hours because investigators needed to travel to other jurisdictions to recover exhibits and apprehend other suspects.

He further alleged that releasing the suspects could jeopardise the investigation, particularly as they were believed to know the whereabouts of some of the persons still at large.

Akpan therefore urged the court to grant the 15-day remand order in the public interest to allow the investigators to conduct a thorough and speedy investigation.

He said that upon completion of the investigation, formal charges would be filed against the suspects for arraignment and prosecution.

In his ruling, Justice Ogazi held that the application had merit and granted it as prayed.

The judge ordered that Godson and Eze be remanded in a Correctional Centre for 15 days.

He, however, adjourned the matter until August 25, 2026, for possible arraignment of the suspects.