Nigeria charges Iranian over arms shipment

 Abuja, 26 Nov-(ANA)-An Iranian man has been charged with arms trafficking in a Nigerian court, in connection with a shipment of weapons intercepted last month.

Azim Aghajani appeared in court in Abuja, but did not enter a plea.

Court documents reportedly identified him as a Tehran businessman, and also a member of Iran's Revolutionary Guards.

Three Nigerians have also been charged in connection with the shipment, which included rockets and grenades hidden among building materials.

The court said Mr Aghajani had been charged with attempting to import prohibited arms into Nigeria and conspiring to send the illegal shipment to Gambia.

The Iranian said he needed his embassy to represent him before he could present his plea.

Two of the three Nigerian defendants were only charged with conspiring to re-export the shipment to Gambia.

All four men are reported to be in custody in the Nigerian capital. (ANA)

FA/ANA/26 November 2010--------