By Jude-Ken Ojinnaka
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has remanded a 32-year-old man, Cyril Ewelike who was arraigned before Justice Yellin Bogoro of a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos over alleged drug trafficking.
The defendant was arraigned on a two-count charge of conspiracy and drug trafficking.
He pleaded not guilty to the offence after listening to the charge preferred against him.
The prosecutor, Mrs Juliana Iroabuchi, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on December 5, 2022.
She alleged that the defendant committed the offence in connivance with one Uche Onowu, an alleged drug baron resident in Dubai, who is now at large,
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The prosecution alleged that the defendant was apprehended at the SAHCO export shed of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, for having exported 3.40 kg of Cannabis sativa.
According to the prosecutor, the substance was discovered during the examination of cargo at the shed.
According to the prosecutor, the offence contravenes the provisions of Sections 11(c( and 14(b) of the NDLEA Act Cap N30 Law of the Federation 2004.
Following the not-guilty plea of the defendant, the prosecutor asked for a trial date for the defendant, while urging the court to remand the defendant in Ikoyi Correctional facility.
However, the defence counsel Mr Denise Warri informed the court of the bail application filed by the defendant and urged the court to grant him bail in most liberal terms.
After listening to submission of parties, the judge adjourned the case until May 25 for ruling on the bail application of defence.
She, however, ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Ikoyi correctional service, pending bail.