By Onyewuchi Ojinnaka
Two drug dealers, Jude Edward Okeke and Ifeanyi Damian Okeke were on Wednesday arraigned before Justice Saliu Saidu of Federal High Court, Lagos Nigeria by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA) over unlawful possession of banned drugs.
They were accused of being in 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.
Jude Edward Okeke and Ifeanyi Damian Okeke both male adult were alleged to have on or about the 6th day of September, 2019 at No 45 Vincent Ogumba Street, Startime Estate, Off Ago Palace Way, Okota, Lagos without lawful authority knowingly possessed 24.9 kilograms of Methamphetamine, a Psychotropic Substance under International Control.
The two defendants were also alleged to have on or about the 6th day of September, 2019 at No 45 Vincent Ogumba Street, Startime Estate, Off Ago Palace Way, Okota Lagos 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 duo before Justice Saidiu the prosecutor from NDLEA, Mr Abu Ibrahim told the court that he has two count charge before the court and asked 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 urged the court to remand the defendants in prison custody and fix a date for 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 the court to grant his clients 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 Saidu granted bail to the two defendants in the sum of N10 million and two sureties each.
In addition, the judge ordered that in each case, one of the sureties must be a property owner within Lagos State while the other should be a civil servant not below level Grade level 14 in the service of the Federal Government or the Lagos State Government.
The matter was adjourned till November 4 for commencement of trial.
The charge against the accused reads: “That you Jude Edward Okeke and Ifeanyi Damian Okeke Male, Adult on or about the 6th of September, 2019 at No. 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 and you are thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 19 of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Count two of the charge reads; “That you (1) Jude Edward Okeke and (2) Ifeanyi Damian Okeke Male, Adult on or about the 6th of September, 2019 at No. 45 Vincent Ogumba Street, Startime Estate, Off Ago Palace Way, Okota Lagos 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.”
