A Federal High Court in Lagos on Thursday remanded till September 1 a Nigerian, Isiaka Musa and two Guineans, Traore Djakouba (Yakubu) and Mohammed Berete, accused of attempted smuggling of elephant tusks and pangolin scales and claws.

Justice Tijjani Ringim made the order following the trio’s arraignment by the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) on a five-count charge of conspiracy, and attempt to export the items without lawful authority.

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Prosecution counsel Mr. Smart Akande alleged that the defendants were arrested on July 28, 2021, with 196 sacks of pangolin scales weighing 7137.40kg; one sack of pangolin claws weighing 4.60kg and 29 sacks of elephant tusk weighing 870.4kg, which they had prepared for exportation.

The NCS valued the items at N22.3 billion.

The defendants, through an interpreter, pleaded not guilty.