Court Remands Two Alleged To Be Members Of Drug Cartel
A Lagos Federal High Court, has ordered the remand of one Salako Omolara Fausat, 34, and Brazil-based alleged drug baron, Christian Chinedu, 39, over alleged conspiracy, unlawful export of 1.4 kilograms of methamphetamine and failure to declare assets.
Justice Yelim Bogoro, made the remand order against the duo after they pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The prosecutor, Juliana Imaobong Iroabuchi, while arraigning the two defendants told the court that they were arrested arrested on November 25, 2022, at the departure Hall of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja Lagos, during the outward clearance of Qatar Airways passengers to Brazil Via Doha.
The prosecutor told the court that the first defendant, Salako Omolara Fausat, and second, Christian Chinedu, a Brazil-based, conspired with one Tosin Dolapo, a alleged drug baron and Head of a drug cartel, who based in Brazil, to unlawfully export the said banned substance.
The prosecutor further told the court that the two defendants concealed the drug in seven containers of custard powder and further concealed inside two multi-coloured sack bags.
She also told the court that the second defendant, Chinedu, after his arrest, failed and refuse to disclosed hi First bank, UBA bank and GTB bank accounts and account numbers to the NDLEA, that he also deliberately refuse to mention and reveal his illegal drug transaction with his co-head drug baron. Adding that the defendant also refused to fill and sign NDLEA’s Assets Declaration Form.
Mrs. Imaobong-Iroabuchi told the court that the offences committed by the defendants contravened sections 11 (b); 14(b) and 35 (3)(c)(d) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, Cap No. 30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
The two defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges. The development which made the prosecutor, to asked for a trial date and urged the court to remand them in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS) till the determination of the charge.
But lawyers to the two defendants, Dennis Warri and Anthony Nnamoko, pleaded with the court to admit their clients to bail in the most liberal terms and conditions.
Responding, the prosecutor, through her counter-affidavit to the bail application, urged the court to refused the application, on the ground that the defendants are ‘flight risk’.
Justice Bogoro, after taken submissions on the bail applications, adjourned till June 16, for ruling. While ordered that the two defendants be remanded at Ikoyi and Kirikiri facility of the NCoS.
Part of the charges against the defendants read: “That you Salako Omolara Fausat, female, Adult, 34 years old a citizen of Nigeria and Christian Anyanwu Male, Adult, 39 years old a citizen of Nigeria, who lives in Brazil and Tosin Dolapo, Female Adult, a notorious and the head drug baron of a notorious hard drug cartel, who lives in Brazil (now at large) and one unknown woman you claim to be the one that delivered the conceal hard drug to you on the instruction of the drug baron Tosin Dolapo your childhood friend and business partner which you refuse to mention her name (now at large) on or about the 25th day of November 2022 at the gate ‘B” departure Hall of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja Lagos, during the outward clearance at Qatar Airways passengers to Brazil through DOHA within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court and without lawful authority exported 1.40 Kilogrames of methamphetamine concealed inside two multi-coloured sack bags concealed in seven containers of custard powder and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 11(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, Cap No, 30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
“That you Christian Anyanwu, Male, Adult, 39 years old a citizen of Nigeria who lives in Brazil, a notorious and a head drug baron and a member of a dangerous hard drug cartel and unrepentant criminal, on or about the 25th day of November, 2022 in the Joint Border Task Force of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, MMIA Special Area Command Ikeja, Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, knowing fails to make full disclosure of your asset and liabilities, after your arrest, and seizure of the 1.40 kilograms of methamphetamine which you exported from Nigeria to Brazil and you knowing refuse to disclose your First bank, UBA bank and GTB bank accounts/account numbers to NDLEA and you also deliberately refuse to mention and reveal your illegal drug transaction with your co-head drug baron between you and other members of your dangerous hard drug cartel to NDLEA and you thereby committed an offence contrary and punishable under Section 35(3) (a), of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N 30 Laws of the Federation f Nigeria 2004.”
