Businessman Docked For Trafficking In 1.06kg Of Heroine
A self-acclaimed businessman, Ezeobiakor Chika Humphrey, has been arraigned before a federal High Court, Lagos, for unlawful importation of 1.060 kilograms Of Heroine.
Humphrey was arraigned before Justice Chukwujwkwu Aneke, by the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), on a count charge of unlawful importation of the said banned hard drug.
NDLEA in a charge marked FHC/L/337c/18, stated that the defendant was arrested with the banned substance on July 24, 2018, at the D-arrival hall of Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, during inward clearance of passengers on Board of Kenya Airway flight, Nairobi.
The offence according to the NDLEA’s lawyer, Mr. Abu Ibrahim, is contrary section 3 and punishable under section 11 (3) of the of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, Cap. N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
The defendant who was first arraigned on the alleged offence on October 24, had pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Upon his not guilty plea, the prosecutor, Mr. Ibrahim urged the Court for a trial date, while also asked the court to remand him in prison custody.
But defendant’s lawyer, Mr. E. U. Okenyi, urged the court to admit him to bail in the most liberal terms. He also told the court that a motion for his client’s bail had been filed and same has been served on the prosecution. Adding that the prosecutor had equally responded to the motion.
Ruling on the application today, Justice Aneke, admitted bail to the defendant in the sum of N5 million with one surety in the same sum.
The surety according to Justice Aneke must be a civil servant in the service of Federal or Lagos State government, not below Grade Lever 12 with official letter from the surety’s Ministry confirming his status. Or a landed property owner within the court’s jurisdiction.
The presiding judge further directed that the documents for the landed property must be deposited with the court’s Registrar. And that the prosecution must verify the genuineness of the documents within 24 hours of filing.
The matter has been adjourned till December 13, for trial.
The charge against the defendant reads: “That you, Ezeobiakor Chika Humphrey, Male Adult, on or about the 24th July, 2018, at the D-Arrival Hall of the Murtala Muhammed International| Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, during inwards clearance of Passengers on Board Kenya Airways Flight from Nairobi, Kenya, without Lawful Authority Imported 1.060 Kilogrammes of Heroin and you thereby committed an offence contrary to 3 and punishment under Section 11(3) of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, Cap. N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria. 2004”.
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