A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has ordered the remand of five alleged drug barons, arrested in Ikorodu, Lagos, by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), till January 17, 2023, when their bail application will be decided.
Justice Peter Lifu ordered their remand to Lagos center of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS) Ikoyi on Tuesday after arraignment.
The defendants include Soji Jubril Oke; Wasiu Akinade; Emmanuel Arinze Chukwu; Oguntolure Sunday and a Jamaican, Kelvin Christopher Smith.
They all pleaded not guilty to six counts charge of conspiracy, unlawful importation of 2,139.55 kilograms of Cocaine, engaging in the organization, management and financing of a Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO) and unlawful possession of same drug.
Counsel to NDLEA Umar Hussain, said that the defendants were arrested with the drugs between the month of July and September 18 and 19, 2022 at Number 6, Olukonla Crescent, Solebo Estate, ikorodu, Lagos.
The prosecutor told the court that the offences committed by all the defendants are contrary to Sections 14 (b): 20 (1)(g); 11 and 19 of the National Drug Law Enforeement Agency Act CAP N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 (As amended) and punishable under sections 20 (2)(b) of the same Act.
All the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Following their not guilty plea, the prosecutor asked the court for a trial date.
The prosecutor equally urged the court to remand them in the prison custody till the determination of the charges against them.
But their counsel, Chief Benson Ndakara and Chief Liliana Omotunde, asked the court to grant their clients bail in the most liberal terms.
Chief Ndakara particularly told the court that two of his clients, Soji Jubril Oke and Wasiu Akinade are having serious health issues.
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Upon hearing counsel’s arguments on the bail application, Justice Lifu, ordered the remand of all the defendants in the Ikoyi facility of the NCOS, till January 17, 2023, when ruling will be delivered on the bail application.
The judge also ordered the head of the Correctional center to furnish the court with the health reports of the sick defendants within two weeks.
