A Federal High Court in Lagos, on Monday, fixed July 5 for continuation of trial of two Chinese nationals, Tao Shen and Jing Yau, charged with importation of sub-standard tyres.

Shen, 36, and Yau, 22, are charged alongside a Nigerian, Chinedu Madubuike and two companies, Sino Nig. Import and Export Ltd. and Nedeca International Ltd.

The accused are standing trial on four counts bordering on importation of substandard products.

They were arraigned on March 20, and had each pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The court had granted them bail in the sum of N10million each, with two sureties each in like sum, and ordered the companies to submit a bond in the sum of N10million.

On Monday, the trial could not proceed due to the absence of an interpreter for the accused.

Consequently, the judge,  Justice Mojisola Olatoregun, fixed July 5 for continuation of trial.

In the charge, the accused are said to have committed the offences in February 2017 by conspiring to import tyres which did not meet the relevant Nigerian industrial standard.

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They are alleged to have stuffed various sizes of tyres into one, knowing same to be in a dangerous state, or being injurious to human life.

The accused are said to have imported the tyres which did not comply with the mandatory Nigerian standard, on account of their stuffing different sizes into one.

According to the prosecution, this made the tyres to be unfit for their purpose.

The tyres are said to have failed to meet the relevant Nigerian industrial standard and likely to endanger human lives.

The accused are also alleged to have failed to furnish returns on the conditions of the imported tyres as required by law.

The offences are said to have contravened the provisions of sections 320 and 510 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap C38, Laws of the Federation, 2004.

They are also said to have contravened the provisions of sections 26 and 32 of the Standard Organisation of Nigeria Act, No 14, Laws of the Federation, 2004. (NAN)