By Onyewuchi Ojinnaka
A former Vice-Chairman of Lagos Island East Local Government, Asekun Sakiru Kehinde was on Wednesday arraigned before a Federal High Court sitting at Ikoyi, Lagos State, by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), on one-count charge of exporting 1.000 Kilograms of cocaine.
The charge reads: “That you Asekun Sakiru Kehinde, male, adult, on or about the 7th May, 2021during the outward clearance of passengers on Virgin Atlantic Airlines flight from Lagos to London-Heathrow, at the Departure Hall of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja- Lagos without lawful authority exported 1.000 Kilograms of Cocaine, a Narcotic Drug and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 12(b) of the said National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act. Cap. N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.”
After hearing the one-count charge preferred against him, he pleaded not guilty. Thereafter, the NDLEA prosecuting counsel Barrister Abu Ibrahim, urged the court to fix a trial date in view of the plea of not guilty of the defendant.
However, counsel to the defendant, Olasupo Sasore (SAN), leading Chief Benson Ndakara informed the court that a bail application has been filed before the court and NDLEA has filed a reply to the said application. In his reaction Mr. Abu confirmed Mr. Sasore’s position.
Moving the bail, Mr. Sasore urged the court to admit the defendant to bail, but Mr. Abu opposed the application for bail and urged the court not to grant the defendant bail because of the gravity of the offence.
After listening to submissions of the parties, the presiding judge, Ayokunle Faji, adjourned till July 16, 2021 for ruling on the bail application and commencement of trial.
He also ordered that the defendant be remanded in the custody of correctional services.
