NDLEA Arraigns 2 For Running Hard Drug Cartel
A prince of Obinuagwu community in Orlu Local Government of Imo State, Ilomuanya Uzoma Valentine a.k.a.Uzo, has been arraigned by the men of the National Drug Laws Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), before a Federal High Court, Lagos, for allegedly operating and financing a hard drug cartel, Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO)
The 49 years old Orlu prince was arraigned alongside one Okeagu Osinachi Michael a.ka. Uwa, before Justice Saliu Saidu led-court, on a five count-charge bordering on conspiracy, operating a drug cartel, production of methamphetamine, unlawful possession of the banned drug
The second defendant, Michael and other said to be at large, was also alleged to have aided the first defendant in transferring funds which are proceeds of the drugs, to his Zenith and Diamond Banks’ account numbers 2081837218 and 00287821858 respectively, to his company named Ugojess International Limited.
Arraigning the two defendants on Tuesday, on the amended six counts charge, the prosecutor, Lambert Nor, told the court the defendants were arrested with 77.960 kilograms of methamphetamine in two drug laboratories situated at Obinugwu Village, Orlu local government area and 3, Barrister Declan Uzoma Close, New Owerri, Imo State, on November 9, 2018, where they were producing the banned substance in large quantity.
He also informed the court that the second defendant was arrested while aiding the first defendant in transferring funds from his company’s accounts domiciled in Zenith bank and Diamond bank.
Items recovered from the defendants including: bags of sodium hydroxide, bags of caustic soda pearls, mantle beaters, white nylon bags, gas burners, channel hoses, electronic weighing scales, protective masks, plastic funnels and other equipments.
The offences according to the prosecutor, Mr. Lambert Nor are contrary to and punishable under sections 11(a), 20(1)(e), 20(1)(f), 20(1)(g) and 14(b), of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N 30 Laws of The Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
The two defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Upon this plea of not guilty, to prosecutor, Mr. Nor, pleaded with the court for a trial date. While urged the court to remand them in prison pending trial.
Responding, lawyer to the defendants, Chief Benson Ndakara, urged the court to allow the first defendant, Ilomuanya, to continue with the earlier bail granted him when he was first arraigned before the court.
Court had granted bail to Ilomuanya in the sum of N50 million with two sureties in the same when he was first arraigned before the court.
The court has ordered that one of the sureties must be a Grade Level officer in the Federal government of Lagos State employment.
Justice Saidu also admitted bail to the second defendant in this same terms.
The judge however ordered that the second defendant should be remanded in prison custody pending the fulfilment of the bail terms.
