Office of Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) on Monday arraigned 10 suspected pirates for the hijack of a Chinese fishing vessel, FV Hai Lu Feng II, in international waters off Cote D’Ivoire.

The defendants are: Frank Abaka, Jude Ebaragha, Shina Alolo, Joshua Iwiki, David Akinseye, Ahmed Toyin, Shobajo Saheed, Adekole Philip, Matthew Masi and Bright Agbedeyi.

They were charged on three counts before Mr Ayokunle Faji.

The government told the court that the defendants “while armed with weapons, committed an illegal act of violence against the crew on board FV Hai Lu Feng II belonging to Haina Fishing Company by putting them in fear in order to take control of the vessel.”

Prosecution counsel, Mr Laraban Magaji said the incident occurred in May this year in international waters off Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire.

Magaji said it violated Section 3 of Suppression of Piracy and Other Maritime Offences Act, 2019 and was punishment under Section 2 of the same Act.

Each defendant pleaded not guilty.

While adjourning till July 15, 2020 for the hearing of the defendants’ bail applications and commencement of trial, Faji remanded them in the Nigerian Navy’s custody.

The Nation