NDLEA commences trial of alleged psychotropic substance agent Kefas Emmanuel
By Onyewuchi Ojinnaka
The trial of one Kefas Emmanuel over drug offences began on Wednesday before Justice Ambrose Lewis Allagoa following his arraignment same day by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Kefas Emmanuel was arraigned on four counts charge for being involved and unlawfully offer for sale and dealing on 35.6 Kilogrames of Codeine, 500 grammes of 225miligrams of tramadol, 299 grammes of Canadian Loud, a specie of Cannabis and 22 grammes of Rophynol.
When the matter was called up before the court, Jonathan Igwubor Esq. announced appearance for the prosecution while Amala Umeke Esq announced appearance for the defendant.
The prosecutor told the court that he was withdrawing the former amended charge and filed a new charge dated June 9, 2026. He prayed the court that the charge be read to the defendant to enable him take his plea.
According to the charge marked FHC/L/CR/348/2026, Kefas Emmanuel was alleged to have without lawful authority, involved, dispatched 500 grams of 225miligramsof Tramadol, without lawful authority dealt in 35.6 Kilogrames of Codeine Syrup, dealt in 299 grams of Canadian Loud, a specie of Cannabis Sativa and 22 grams of Rophynol. These are prohibited Psychotropic substance similar to Cocaine, Heroin and LSD.
The offence allegedly committed are punishable under Sections 20(1)(a) and 11(c) of the NDLEA Act Cap N30 Laws of Federation of Nigeria 2004.
When the four counts charge was read to the defendant, he pleaded not guilty to all counts.
In view of the plea of the defendant, Mr Igwubor asked for immediate commencement of trial, saying that his witnesses are in court.
Trial commenced immediately with the testimony of Prosecution Witness One (PW1) Kenneth Babajia, an exhibit officer with the Agency. While being led in evidence-in-chief by the Prosecutor Mr Igwubor, the witness told the court how on May 20, 2026, Oche Innocent, an exhibit officer with the Agency brought to him the defendant alongside the exhibit recovered from him. He mentioned the exhibits recovered from the defendant to include 35.6 kg of Codeine Syrup, 500g of 225ml Tramadol, 299 g of Canadian Loud, a specie of Cannabis Sativa, 22 g of Rophynol.
The witness said that in addition, he also received from the exhibit officer a Del Laptop, N42,300. cash, Two ATM cards of Moniepoint, a JBL earport. He said that the bulk of the exhibits, the monetary exhibit and the laptop were marked with NDLEA number.
“I received all the said exhibits, documented them and kept them in the safe room for safety. On a later date, I also received a large sealed brown envelope from the forensic seat if the Agency through a forensic officer by name Temitope Williams”.
In another question from the Prosecutor, the witness identified the items were which were tendered as evidence and admitted as exhibits.and marked accordingly.
Under cross examination by the defence counsel Umeke, the witness admitted that he did not personally arrested the defendant or recovered the items from him. Also he had no personal knowledge regarding the ownership or recovery of the items.
Two other prosecution witnesses Innocent Oche (PW2) and Temitope Williams (PW3) testified before the court. They were also cross examined by the defence counsel.
Innocent Oche (PW2) while giving evidence, told the court that the defendant was brought to his office on May 7, 2026 with the items. He asked the defendant if he was the owner of the exhibits and he answered in the affirmative. The items were tested and they proved positive.
“I took the exhibits to the bulk exhibit room and handed them over. I issued some forms to the defendant. I signed the substance form, certificate of test analysis and request for scientific tests”
Under cross examination, he said that he did not personally arrest or recovered the alleged substance from the defendant and that the defendant did not make any statement before him.
Temitope Williams (PW3) who is attached to the Directorate of Forensic Unit of NDLEA told the court that he received the discovered items from Innocent Oche on May 11, 2026 and on the 12th, she tested the substance which proved positive. She handed over a brown envelope containing the test results to the Central exhibit officer.
Under cross examination, she said that did not arrest the defendant or recovered the items from him. She acted within the limit of her duties
After the testimony of the PW3, the Prosecutor sought for adjournment for another date to continue with the trial.
Defence counsel did not oppose the application for adjournment.
Justice Allagoa adjourned the matter till October 20 for continuation of trial
The four counts are:
“That you, KEFAS EMMANUEL, Male, Adult, on or about the 7th day of May, 2026, at Ghetto Barbwire area, along Coastal Road, Lekki, Lagos State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, without lawful authority involved yourself in offering for sale, dispatch, and brokerage in whatever terms of 5OO grammes of 225mg of Tramadol, a Psychotropic substance provided in the second schedule to this Act, contrary to the provisions of the 1961 Convention and its Protocols and the 1971 Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotics and Psychotropic substances 1989, thereby you committed an offence as provided for and punishable under Section 20(1)(a) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
“That you, KEFAS EMMANUEL, Male, Adult, on or about the 7th day of May, 2026, at Ghetto Barbwire area, along Coastal Road, Lekki, Lagos State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, without lawful authority dealt in 35.6 kilogrammes of Codeine Syrup, a Psychotropic substance provided in the second schedule to this Act, contrary to the provisions of the 1961 Convention and its Protocols and the 1971 Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotics and Psychotropic substances 1989, thereby you committed an offence as provided for and punishable under Section 11(C) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
“That you, KEFAS EMMANUEL, Male, Adult, on or about the 7th day of May, 2026, at Ghetto Barbwire area, along Coastal Road, Lekki , Lagos State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, without lawful authority dealt in 299 grammes of Canadian loud(a specie of Cannabis Sativa), a narcotic substance, similar to Cocaine, Heroin and LSD, and you thereby committed an offence as provided for and punishable under Section 11(C) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
“That you, KEFAS EMMANUEL, Male, Adult, on or about the 7th day of May, 2026, at Ghetto Barbwire area, along Coastal Road, Lekki, Lagos State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, without lawful authority involved yourself in offering for sale, dispatch, and brokerage in whatever terms of 22 grammes of Rophynol, a Psychotropic substance provided in the second schedule to this Act, contrary to the provisions of the 1961 Convention and its Protocols and the 1971 Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotics and Psychotropic substances 1989 and you thereby committed an offence as provided for and punishable under Section 20(1)(a) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria”
