Court Jails Two Illegal Pangolins Possessors
Justice Yellim Bogoro of a Federal High Court, Monday, convicted and sentenced a woman, Dagunduro Bunmi and Oniyide Olusegun, to a total of 18 months for unlawful possession of three live pangolins, an endangered wildlife species.
Dagunduro and Oniyide were brought before the court alongside Godwin Nwali, sequel to the intelligence and operation done by Focused Conservation and officers of the Special Wildlife Office of the Nigeria Customs Service, led by Assistant Comptroller of Customs A. Mani, who acted on credible intelligence that led to the arrest of the convicts.
Both the convicts and Godwin were arraigned before the court on a three count-charge marked FHC/L/21c/2025.
Both the convicts and Godwin had pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were first arraigned before the court sometimes last year.
However, at the resumed hearing the matter today, the two convicts informed the court of their intentions to change the plea. Hence the charge was reread to them and they pleaded guilty to three count.
Based on their guilty plea the prosecutors, Michael Osong and Vivian Aigbadon (Mrs) reviewed the facts of the case, as well tendered all exhibits in the matter.
Upon reviewing the facts of matter and tendering of exhibits, the prosecutors prayed the court convict the two convicts and sentence them accordingly.
The convicts through their lawyer, informed the court that they are first time offenders with any previous records of conviction. While also prayed the court to be merciful with them and promised not to engage in any criminal activities.
Based on their plea for leniency and upon confirming from the prosecutors that they are first time offenders without any conviction record, Justice Bogoro sentenced them to a total of 18 months imprisonment.
The judge however gave them monetary fine option and a week community service in lieu of the prison terms.
The judge thereafter adjourned to June 24, for the trial of Godwin Nwali, the third defendant in the charge.
Charges Against the two convicts and Godwin read: “that you, Dagunduro Bunmi, Female, Adult, Oniyide Olusegun, Male, Adult, Godwin Nwali, Male, Adult and others now at large, on or about the gth day of December, 2025, at Iyana Ipaja, Lagos State, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, Lagos, did conspire among yourselves to commit a felony, to wit: being in possession of three live Pangolins, endangered wildlife specimens and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 516 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap. C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
“That you, Dagunduro Bunmi, Female, Adult, Oniyide Olusegu, Male, Adult, Godwin Nwali, Male, Adult and others now at large, on or about the 9 dav of December, 2025, at Iyana Ipaja, Lagos State, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, Lagos traded in three live Pangolins, endangered wildlife specimens, which trade is absolutely prohibited and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 5(1) of the Endangered Species (Control of International Trade and Traffic) Act, Cap E9, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and punishable under section 5(1)(a) of the Endangered Species (Control of International Trade and Traffic) (Amendment) Act, 2016.
“That you, Dagunduro Bunmi, Female, Adult, Oniyide Olusegun, Male, Adult, Godwin Nwali, Male, Adult and others now at large, on or about the 9th day of December, 2025, at Iyana Ipaja, Lagos State, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, Lagos, were found to be in possession of three live Pangolins, endangered wildlife specimens, which possession is absolutely prohibited in the First Schedule of the Endangered Species (Control of International Trade and Traffic) Act, Cap E9, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and thereby committed an offence contrary to 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 Act. Dated this 16th day of December, 2025.”
