By Jude-Ken Ojinnaka
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has charged two alleged drug traffickers before Justice Daniel Osiagor of a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos over alleged drug trafficking.
The defendants, Bello Adesina, 30, and Chizoba Victoria, 37, are standing trial on a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy and the unlawful export of cannabis sativa.
When the charge was read out to them to take their plea, the first defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge while the second defendant Chizoba Victoria pleaded guilty to the charge.
The prosecutor, Mrs Juliana Iroabuchi told the court that the defendants committed the offence on January 26, 2023.
She alleged that the defendants had conspired with one Henry Emeka, a notorious drug baron in DubaI, who is now at large, to export about 300g of cannabis sativa to the United Arab Emirates (UAE)
According to the prosecutor, the narcotics was uncovered during the examination of cargo at the NACHO export shed of the Murtala Mohammed Airport, which was concealed in a white and red sack containing crayfish.
According to the charge, the offence contravenes the provision of Sections 11(b) and 14(b) of the NDLEA Act Cap N30 Law of the Federation 2004.
The court adjourned the case until April 25, for a review of the facts of the second defendant and the trial of the first defendant, whose bail application is yet to be filed.
Meanwhile, the court ordered the defendants to be remanded in the custody of the NDLEA.