NDLEA arraigns 70yr old woman over alleged exportation of 13kg cocaine, court remands her in custody
By Onyewuchi Ojinnaka
A Vacation court presided over by Justice Nkemakonam Ogazi of the Federal High Court sitting at Ikoyi Lagos on Wednesday ordered to be remanded in the Nigerian Correctional Facility Ikoyi, a 70 year old woman Barek Mary Yetunde who was arraigned by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for being in possession and transportation of 13 kilogramme Cocaine, a substance similar to Heroin and LSD.
When the matter was called for the arraignment of the defendant, Abu Ibrahim Esq announced appearance for the prosecution while Chief Benson Ndakara leading Chief Dennis Warri announced appearance for the defendant.
Abu Ibrahim moved an application seeking the leave of the vacation court to grant the arraignment of the defendant as well as reading a two counts charge dated August 8, 2026 for her to take a plea. Court granted the applications and ordered that the charge be read as Chief Ndakara did not oppose the applications.
The two counts charge was read to Barek Mary Yetunde and she pleaded not guilty to the charge.
According to the charge, Barek Mary Yetunde of No 14 Alhaji Azeez Ajanaku Street, Okota, Lagos was alleged to have on or about the 28th June, 2026 at the Departure Hall of Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja – Lagos during the outward clearance of passengers on Virgin Atlantic flight from Lagos to United Kingdom without lawful authority exported 13 kilograms of Cocaine, a Narcotic Drug.
The defendant was further alleged to have on or about the 28th June, 2026 without lawful authority, transported 13 kllogramme of Cocaine, a Narcotic Drug from her residence located at No. 14, Alhaji Azeez Ajanaku Street, Okota Lagos State to Departure ‘Hall of Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Ikeja Lagos.
The offence allegedly committed by the defendant is contrary to and punishable under Section 11(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
After her plea of not guilty, the prosecutor prayed to the court that in view of the defendant’s plea, asked for a date for commencement of trial and further applied that the defendant be remanded in the Custody of the Nigerian Correctional Facility pending the commencement of trial.
While not objecting to a trial date, Ndakara informed the court that the defendant has filed a motion for her bail which was served to the prosecution. He further submitted that prosecution has filed a counter motion and he has also responded to the counter motion of the prosecution.
Ndakara said that subject to the convenience of the court, he was ready to move the motion. Responding, Abu said that he has already filed a response opposing the bail application
Chief Ndakara pleaded to the court to remand the defendant in the Custody of NDLEA because of her health issues but Abu opposed the application to remand the defendant in the Custody of NDLEA, saying that the Agency has no sufficient facility to take care of her health issues.
However in view of the refusal of the prosecution to have the defendant in their custody, Chief Ndakara passionately pleaded for a short adjournment to move the application.
After going through the cause list for the week , the Judge said that the convenient date is September 2, 2026 which was agreed by both counsel.
Justice Ogazi then adjourned the matter to September 2 for moving the bail application and further ordered that the defendant be remanded in the Nigerian Correctional Facility pending determination of her bail.
The charge reads: “That you Barek Mary Yetunde, Female, Adult, Nigerian of No. 14, Alhaji Azeez Ajanaku Street, Okota Lagos State on or about the 28th June, 2026 at the Departure Hall of Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja – Lagos during the outward clearance of passengers on Virgin Atlantic flight from Lagos to United Kingdom without lawful authority exported 13 kilograms of Cocaine, a Narcotic Drug and you thereby committed an act which is an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 11(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
“That you Barek Mary Yetunde, Female, Adult, Nigerian of No. 14, Alhaji Azeez Ajanaku Street, Okota Lagos State on or about the 28th June, 2026 without lawful authority transported 13kllograms of Cocaine, a Narcotic Drug from your residence located at No. 14, Alhaji Azeez Ajanaku Street, Okota Lagos State to Departure ‘Hall of Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Ikeja Lagos and you thereby committed an act which is an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 11(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.”
