NDLEA Arraigns South Africa Returnee For Importing 5.3kg Heroine
A 48 year-old, South Africa returnee, Obi Ofodile Conrad, have been arraigned before a Federal High Court, Lagos, for alleged importation of 5.340 kilograms of heroine into Nigeria.
The South Africa returnee was arraigned before Justice Saliu Saidu led-court, by the men of National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on charges bordering on illegal importation of the said drug and aiding and abetting.
NDLEA in a charge marked FHC/L/393c/18, alleged that the defendant while being cleared on October 19, from a South African Airway, coming from Johannesburg, at the E-arrival Hall of Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, was found in possession of 5.340 kilograms of the banned substance, which he concealed in two travel bags.
He was also alleged to have aided one Emeka, who is said to be at large, to import the substance into the country.
The offences according to the prosecutor, Mr. Jonathan Ogwubor, are contrary to and punishable under sections 11(a) and 14(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N 30 Laws of The Federation of Nigeria, 2004 (as amended).
The defendant has however pleaded not guilty to the offences.
Following his plea of not guilty, the prosecutor, asked the court for a trial date, while also urged the court to remand the defendant in prison custody pending the conclusion of trial.
Responding, the defendant’s lawyer, Chief Benson Ndakara, while told the court that he was not opposed to the trial date as requested by the prosecutor, informed the court that he had filed a motion for bail and same has been served on the prosecution.
The position which was not opposed by the prosecutor, who also told the count that he had filed a counter-affidavit to the motion.
He however told the court to dismiss the defendant’s motion for bail.
Ruling on the bail application after hearing the submissions of both parties, Justice Saidu admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N10 million with two sureties.
One of the two sureties according to the judge, must be a blood relation to the defendant with landed property within Lagos. While the second surety must be a Grade Level 14 officer in the appointment of Federal government or Lagos State.He ordered that the defendant must be in prison custody pending the fulfilment of the bail terms.
The judge also ordered the the verification of the bail terms must be done by the prosecution and the Court’s registrars.
While also ordered that the defendant must be in prison custody pending the fulfilment of the bail terms.
His trial has been fixed for February 12, 2019.
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