Toxic waste: FG files 3-count charge against importers, vessel

By The Citizen

The Federal Government has filed a three-count charge  against two persons, a company and a vessel before a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos over their alleged involvement in the importation of  harmful electronic toxic waste into the country on January 9, 2013.

The accused persons, Rumok David, Mgbachi Chibuzo, Bonicks Investment and M.V. Marivia, were alleged to have without lawful authority, imported harmful electronic waste, containing a mixture of functioning and non-functioning electrical/electronic equipment in a vessel named MV MARIVIA.

The first count of the charge, read: 'That you, Rumok David, without lawful authority, imported electronic harmful waste in 40ft container No. ECMU9870858 containing a mixture of functioning and non-functioning electrical/electronic equipment imported in a vessel named MV MARIVIA'

Mgbachi Chibuzo and Bonicks Investment were accused of the same offence in the second count.

At the resumed hearing in the matter, yesterday, none of the accused was present in court, but the prosecution informed the court that a charge had been filed against the accused persons, adding that the ship was brought to the shores of Nigeria on January 9, 2013.

The case, has, meanwhile, been adjourned till February 4, for the arraignment of the accused persons.

The ship, MV Marivia, was arrested at the Tin-Can Island Port in Lagos with two containers of e-waste.