The Federal High Court in Lagos has sentenced a taxi driver, Sabiu Haruna, to six months’ imprisonment for illegally possessing and attempting to sell 12 live endangered parrots.
Justice Yellim Bogoro handed down the sentence on Monday after Haruna pleaded guilty to a two-count charge filed by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) under case number FHC/L/534C/2025.
Prosecution counsel, Vivian Aigbadon, told the court that Haruna was arrested on June 2, 2025, along FESTAC Road 22, Lagos, following intelligence provided by the Wildlife Justice Commission, an international body dedicated to tackling wildlife trafficking.
According to Aigbadon, the parrots found in Haruna’s possession included six African Grey Parrots (Psittacus erithacus erithacus), four Senegal Parrots (Poicephalus senegalus), and two Budgerigar Parrots (Melopsittacus undulatus). These species are protected under Nigeria’s wildlife laws.
The prosecutor said Haruna’s actions contravened Sections 7(3) and 7(4) of the National Environmental (Protection of Endangered Species in International Trade) Regulations, 2011, and Section 5(1) of the Endangered Species (Control of International Trade and Traffic) Act, Cap E9, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, as amended in 2016.
Following his guilty plea, the prosecutor reviewed the facts of the case and urged the court to convict him accordingly. Haruna’s lawyer, however, pleaded for leniency, asking the court to consider his client’s remorse.
Delivering judgment, Justice Bogoro convicted and sentenced Haruna to six months in prison.
The charges stated that Haruna was caught with the parrots on June 2, 2025, and engaged in their illegal trade, violating laws prohibiting the possession and sale of endangered wildlife in Nigeria.
