The Nigeria Customs Service has brought a Chinese citizen, Zheng Chao Hong (also known as Zheng Gaopeng), and a Nigerian woman, Amaka Marcus, before Justice Yellim Bogoro at the Federal High Court in Lagos over the illegal possession of 7,200 kilograms of pangolin scales.
The pair are facing a three-count charge involving conspiracy, unlawful possession, and illegal trade in pangolin scales, an endangered wildlife specimen. The contraband was allegedly hidden in 179 sacks.
According to the prosecuting team, led by Michel Osong and Mrs. Vivian Aigbadon, the offence took place on August 8, 2024, at Iperu-Remo in Ogun State and in Ikeja, Lagos State.
They also claimed that the defendants tried to sell the smuggled pangolin scales.
Osong stated in court that the accused persons’ actions contravened Section 516 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap. C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and Section 7(3) of the National Environmental (Protection of Endangered Species in International Trade) Regulations, 2011. The offence is punishable under Section 7(4) of the same regulation.
Both Zheng and Marcus entered a plea of not guilty.
In response, their legal representatives, A. O. Fashugba and Ernest Ukpai, urged the court to grant them bail on liberal terms. However, the prosecution objected to the bail applications.
After hearing arguments from both sides, Justice Bogoro granted each defendant bail in the sum of N5 million, with two sureties apiece in the same amount.
The court stipulated that one surety must be a Chinese national, while the other must possess landed property within the court’s jurisdiction.
Justice Bogoro further directed that both sureties present an affidavit of means and two passport photographs. Additionally, the prosecutor must verify the submitted land documents.
The case was adjourned to July 14, 2025, for trial.
