NDLEA Arraigns 4 Men For Trafficking In 484.5Kg Of Hard Drugs
The men of National Drug Laws Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) arraigned four men before a Federal High Court, Lagos, for unlawful dealing in 484.580 kilograms of prohibited drugs.
The four alleged drug dealers are: Anyanwu Chika a.k.a. Aja; Udogwu James Johnson; Lawal Ismaila Lekan and Emele Promise Nnadozie.
The defendants were separately charged on a count each, before the court presided over by Justice Nicholas Oweibo.
Arraigning the defendants, the prosecutor, Barrister Abu Ibrahim, told the court that they were arrested with at different times with different banned substance, such as Cannabis; Cocaine and Tramadol.
Abu told the court that Anyanwu Chika a.k.a. Aja, a resident of 44, Christ Oladuni Street, Ejigbo-Lagos, was arrested on May 26, 2021, with 30.15 kilograms of Cannabis Sativa, during the examinaticn of Cargoes to Manchester, England at NAHCO Export Shed, a Customs Area/Point, Ikeja Lagos.
He also told the court that Lawal Ismaila Lekan, of 9, Abike Close, Baruwa, Lagos, was arrested on July 17, 2021, with 450 kilogrames of Cannabis Sativa, during the exammation of intending Cargoes on Ethiopian Airline to Dubai, at the scanning area of SAHCO Export Shed, a Customs Area/Point of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja-Lagos.
Abu further informed Justice Oweibo that Emele Promise Nnadozie, of 16, Lawal Street, Agboroko, Iba Road, Ojo-Lagos, was arrested with 4.35 kilograms of Tramadol of 225mg, on July 12, 2021, during the examination of Cargoes at SAHCO Export Shed, at Customs Area/Point of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja-Lagos. And that Udogwu James Johnson, of no fixed address, was arrested with 300 kilograms of Cocaine, on June 11, 2021 at the D-Arrival Hall of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja- Lagos.
The prosecutor told the court that the defendants’ offence is contrary to and punishable under Sections 11(a) and 11(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcemerit Agency Cap N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
All the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge.
With the defendants not guilty plea, the prosecutor asked the court for a trial date, while also urged the court to remand them in the facility of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS) pending the determination of the charge against each of them.
But counsel to each of the defendants, who includes: E. K Ekwegh; Dennis Warri and Miss K. A. Ndakara, pleaded with the court to admit bail to their clients in the most liberal terms.
Though, the prosecutor, vehemently opposed the application, on the ground that the defendants, if granted bail, will never turn up for their trial.
However, the Presiding judge, Justice Oweibo, after citing plethoras of authority, held the that the argument canvassed by the prosecution, was not not strong enough to deny the defendants bail.
Consequently, Justice Oweibo, admitted each of the defendants to bail in the sum of N5 million with two sureties each.
One of the sureties according to the judge must be a landed property owner within the court’s jurisdiction, while the other surety must be a Grade Level 12 officer either in Federal or State Government establishment.
The judge while adjourned the defendants’ trial till November 10, ordered that they should be remanded in the NCoS’ custody, till when they will perfect the bail terms.
