Iranian on trial in Nigeria lacked arms licence: statement

AFP

22 March 2011

Iranian on trial in Nigeria lacked arms licence: statement

LAGOS — An alleged Iranian Revolutionary Guard member on trial over a weapons shipment seized in Lagos told authorities he did not have a licence to export arms, a statement read at his trial said Monday.

"My IGTCC (International General Trading and Construction Company), registered in Gambia, does not have import licence by Iranian government or Nigerian government to import or export arms to Nigeria or the Gambia or any other country," Azim Aghajani, 44, said in his statement read out in court.

The statement was made at the secret police headquarters in Abuja on February 11, the court was told.

The suspect, along with his Nigerian co-accused, Ali Abbas Jega, are standing trial over the alleged illegal importation of rockets, explosives and grenades seized at a Lagos port in October.