Iranian Revolutionary Guard pleaded not guilty to Nigerian charges, Posted by Meosha Eaton

An Iranian believed to be a member of the Revolutionary Guard pleaded not guilty on Tuesday (January 02) to Nigerian charges that he was involved in the illegal importation of weapons into the West African nation

 Azim Adhajani was charged with importing prohibited firearms after a shipment of mortars and rockets from 
Iran was seized in the main port of Lagos last year, apparently putting Tehran in breach of U.N. sanctions.

 Adhajani's trial had originally been due to start in the capital Abuja on Monday (January 31) but the case was 
dismissed so it could be transferred to Lagos, allowing the prosecution to use the seized weapons as evidence in 
court. 

  
Adhajani and his alleged Nigerian accomplice Ali Usman Abbas Jega were charged with the possession and  
importation of weapons and with making a false cargo declaration at a brief hearing at a Federal High Court in 
Lagos, lawyers said.  

"They pleaded not guilty to the charge like you were in court and after the plea was taken, the prosecution 
applied for them to be remanded in prison custody, in the SSS custody," lawyer A.B Onifade, who represented 
Adhajani at the hearing, said

Adhajani and his Nigerian counterpart Usman Jega are being charged on the three counts of possession of fire
arms, importation of fire arms and unlawful disclosure of the content of an importation  Prosecution documents 
identify Adhajani as a Tehran-based businessman and member of the Revolutionary Guard.
Another Iranian is alleged to have been linked to the case when the weapons were discovered at the port but is 
said to have had diplomatic immunity and since left the country.
   
Intelligence officials say Adhajani's trial could prove uncomfortable for Iran, potentially exposing the extent 
which al Quds has established a presence in West Africa and damaging its quest for closer ties with Africa