NDLEA Arraigns Lagos Based Businessmen For Dealing In Hard Drugs
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Wednesday, arraigned one Jude Edward Okeke and Ifeanyi Damian Okeke for unlawful possession of 24.9 kilograms of Methamphetamine, a Psychotropic Substance under International Control and 16.9 kilograms of Ephedrine, a precursor Chemical and a prohibited substance.
The two defendants, who were cousins, were alleged to on or about September 6, 2019, at their residence, 45 Vincent Ogumba Sheet, Startime Estate, Off Ago Palace Way, Okota Lagos, without lawful authority knowingly possessed 24.9 kilograms of Methamphetamine, a Psychotropic Substance under International Control.
They were also alleged to have on the same date and place, without lawful authority knowingly possessed 16.9 kilograms of Ephedrine, a precursor Chemical and a prohibited substance listed In the Second Schedule of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 19 of the said Act.
At the arraignment of the two accused before Justice Saliu Saidiu led-Court today, the prosecutor from the NDLEA, Mr Abu Ibrahim, told the court that he has two count charge before the court and plead that the charge be read to the defendants.
Following his application, the charge was read to the defendants and they both pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Following their not-guilty plea, the prosecutor Mr Abu Ibrahim urged the court to remand the accused in prison custody and for a date for the commencement of trial.
However, the defence counsel Mr E.U. Nnolu told the trial judge that he has a bail application which has been served on the prosecution and prayed the court that he be allowed to move the application.
While arguing the bail application Nnolu urged them court to grant his client bail in liberal terms, adding that the first defendant, Jude Edward Okeke is not in good health condition.
Ruling on the bail application Justice Saliu Saidiu granted bail to the two defendants in the sum of N10 million and two sureties each.
In addition, Justice Saidu ordered that in each case, one of the sureties must be a property owner within Lagos State while the order should be a civil servant not below level grade level 14 in the service of the Federal Government or the Lagos State Government.
The judge also ordered that the bail terms must be satisfied by the prosecutor and the court’s registrars, while also ordered that the defendants be remanded in prison custody till the perfection of the bail terms.
