Chinese, Nigerian face trial for illegal wildlife possession

Wildlife smuggling | pangolin scales

The Nigeria Customs Service has arraigned a Chinese national, Zheng Chao Hong (also known as Zheng Gaopeng), and a Nigerian woman, Amaka Marcus, over illegal possession of 7,200 kilogrammes of pangolin scales.

The duo were brought before Justice Yellim Bogoro of the Federal High Court, in Lagos on a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, unlawful possession, and illegal dealing in pangolin scales, a specimen of endangered wildlife species.

The scales were reportedly concealed in 179 sacks.

According to the prosecution team, led by Michel Osong and Mrs. Vivian Aigbadon, the offence was committed on August 8, 2024, at Iperu-Remo in Ogun State and Ikeja in Lagos State.

They alleged that both defendants also attempted to sell the seized pangolin scales.

Osong told the court that the actions of the defendants violated Section 516 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap. C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, as well as Section 7(3) of the National Environmental (Protection of Endangered Species in International Trade) Regulations, 2011. And punishable under Section 7(4) of the same law.

Zheng and Marcus pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Following their not-guilty plea, their lawyers, A. O. Fashugba and Ernest Ukpai, applied for bail on their behalf, requesting that the court grant bail in liberal terms.

But the prosecution opposed the bail applications.

After listening to the submissions, counsel Justice Bogoro granted bail to the defendants in the sum of N5m, with two sureties each in like sum.

He ordered that one of the sureties must be a Chinese national, while the other must own landed property within the court’s jurisdiction.

The judge also ordered that both sureties must submit an affidavit of means and two passport photographs, and that the prosecutor must verify the land documents.

Consequently, Justice Bogoro adjourned the trial to July 14, 2025.