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Two of the five men charged with illegally importing 661 pump-action rifles into the country in a 40-ft container, on Monday asked to change their initial no guilty plea and instead enter into a plea bargain with the prosecution.

The accused, Mahmud Hassan, Oscar Okafor, Donatus Achinulo, Matthew Okoye (still at large), were on June 14, arraigned before Justice Ayokunle Faji of the Federal High Court, Lagos, on an eight-count charge bordering on conspiracy, importation of prohibited firearms, forgery, uttering of forged documents and bribery.

All the defendants then pleaded not guilty to the charges.

However, at the resumed hearing of the matter on Monday, Oscar Okafor and Donatus Achinulo asked to change their original plea to guilty.

Both defendants had changed their lawyers who made the application orally to enter a plea bargain with the Attorney General of the Federation.

Oscar and Donatus are now being represented by Mr. Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) and Mr. Paul Ananaba (SAN), respectively.

Meanwhile, Justice Faji adjourned the matter till Tuesday and directed both defendants to notify the AGF of their intention.

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