By Jude-Ken Ojinnaka
Justice Lewis-Allagoa of a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on Wednesday ordered the remand of an alleged drug trafficker, Obiorah Chigozie Samuel at Nigerian Correctional Centre, Ikoyi pending the hearing and determination of his bail application on January 24, 2024.
Justice Lewis-Allagoa made the remand order on Wednesday against the alleged 39 year old drug trafficker, after he pleaded not guilty to the drug related offences preferred against him on Tuesday by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The defendant, who resides at No 8, Doctor KC Emmanuel Street Bucknor, Isheri, Lagos, was arrested by the NDLEA operatives on September 15, 2023, during the examination of cargo to the United Kingdom, at the SAHCO Export Shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, IKeja, Lagos.
He was arraigned before the court on charges bordering on conspiracy and unlawful possession of Cannabis Sativa.
In the charge filed before the court by NDLEA prosecutor, Mrs. Juliana Imaobong U. Iroabuchi for the arraignment of Obiorah Chigozie Samuel (defendant), the defendant allegedly conspired with a United kingdom based Blessing Collins a.k.a. Don Chucks, Ikenna Okoli of Elemo bridge, Isheri Area of Lagos, and one Kingsley, who were said to be at large, to commit the offences.
It was stated in the charge that defendant on September 15, 2023, used a Silver colour Toyota Camry car with Anambra State plate number: NSH — 7ZOOHA, registered in the name of Ikenna Okoli, to conceal and conveyed a total of 6.10 kilograms of Cannabis sativa, which he intend to smuggle to United Kingdom (UK).
The prosecutor told the court that the offences allegedly committed by the defendant, contravened Sections 11 (b) ,11 (d), and 14 (b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, Cap N. 30 Law of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
After listening to the charge preferred against him, the defendant denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Following his plea, the prosecutor asked for trial date, and also urged the court to remand the defendant in prison custody till the determination of the charge.
Responding, counsel to the defendant, Chief Benson Ndakara, informed the court that his client’s bail application has been filed and same has been served on the prosecutor.
But the prosecutor told the court that she was served with the application while in court and needed time to respond.
Consequently, Justice Lewis-Allagoa ordered that the defendant be remanded in the NCOS custody, and adjourned till January 24, 2024, for the the hearing of the defendant’s bail application.
