By Jude-Ken Ojinnaka
A senior immigration officer, Akomolafe Gbenga Michael was arraigned before Justice Daniel Osiagor of a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos for trafficking in 8 kilograms of Methamphetamine and 7.60 kilograms of Cannabis Sativa, popularly known as marijuana.
The immigration officer currently serving at the Murtala Muhammad International Airport Ikeja Lagos was arraigned before Justice Osiagor alongside three others by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on a nine count-charge of alleged conspiracy, unlawful possession, import and dealing in the prohibited substances.
Others arraigned for the alleged offences are; Babatunde Micheal Olufemi, said to be a staff of Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nwadozie Chris Amaechi and Nwosu Chinedu Cyril.
While arraigning the defendants the NDLEA prosecutor Mr Abu Ibrahim, told the court that thel men who belong to hard drug syndicate, were arrested on May 21, 2024, while attempting to smuggle the prohibited substances out of Murtala Muhammad International Airport Ikeja, Lagos.
Mr. Ibrahim told the court that the four men conspired to commit the alleged offence alongside the duo of Nwadozie Sunday and Echezona Nwosu, based in South Africa.
Specifically, the immigration officer, Mr Akomolafe was docked on six count charge of conspiracy, unlawful import, unlawful possession, and trafficking in the banned substances.
While the duo of Olufemi, said to be a staff of FAAN, Nwadozie and Nwosu, were docked with three counts of conspiracy and unlawful importation and possession of the banned drugs.
According to the charge, the alleged criminal act of the four men contravened Sections 14 (b), 21 (2)(d) and 20 (1)(c) punishable under Section 11(b) and 20 (2)(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
However, while the other three members of the gang pleaded guilty to the charges, the immigration officer pleaded not guilty to all the counts of the charge.
Based on the not guilty plea of the immigration officer, his counsel Chief Benson Ndakara, pleaded with the court to admit him to bail in the most liberal terms.
Upon the moving of the bail application, Justice Osiagor admitted bail to the immigration officer in the sum of N10 million with one surety.
The judge also ordered that the surety must be a Civil Servant of an Assistant Director cadre in the employment of Lagos State or the Federal Government of Nigeria.
However, the trio of Babatunde Micheal Olufemi, Nwadozie Chris Amaechi and Nwosu Chinedu Cyril, based on their guilty plea, were convicted and sentenced to 4 years on each count.
The three convicts were however ordered to pay fine option of N2 million fine on each count.
The judge also ordered that both the sentences and fine option shall run concurrently.
Meanwhile Justice Daniel Osiagor has adjourned further trial in the matter till November 7, 2024.
The offences against the defendant reads: That you Akomolafe Gbenga Micheal, Babatunde Micheal Olufemi, Nwadozie Chris Amaechi, Nwosu Chinedu Cyril all being members of a drug syndicate based in Nigeria conspired with one Nwadozie Sunday and Echezona Nwosu both based in South Africa, now at large, adults, males, on or about the 21st day of May 2024 conspired amongst yourselves to import 8 kilograms of Methamphetamine, a psychotropic substance under international control, you thereby committed an act which is an offence contrary to and punishable under section 14 (b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004
Count 2
That you Akomolafe Gbenga Micheal 2. Babatunde Micheal Olufemi 3. Nwadozie Chris Amaechi 4. Nwosu Chinedu Cyril all being members of a drug syndicate based in Nigeria conspired with one Nwadozie Sunday and Echezona Nwosu (both based in South Africa, now at large) adults, males, on or about May 21, 2024 conspired amongst yourselves to import 7.60 kilogram of Cannabis Sativa, a Narcotic Drug similar to Cocaine, LSD, Heroin, you thereby committed an act which is an offence contrary to and punishable under section 14(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Count 3
That you Akomolafe Gbenga micheal adult, male on or about May 21, 2024 procured one Babatunde Micheal Olufemi on behalf of one Nwadozie Sunday (based In South Africa, Now at large) to possess
8 kilograms of Methamphetamine, a psychotropic substance under international control, and you thereby committed an act which is an offence contrary to section 21 (2) (d) and punishable under section 11(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Count 4:
That you Akomolafe Gbenga Micheal adult, male on or about May 21, 2024 procured one Babatunde Micheal Olufemi on behalf of one Nwadozie Sunday (based in South Africa, now at large) to possess 7.60 kilograms of Cannabis Sativa, a Narcotic Drug similar to Cocaine, LSD, Heroin, and you thereby committed an act which is an offence contrary to section 21 (2) (d) and punishable under section 11(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Count 5
That you Akomolafe Gbenga Micheal adult, male on or about May 21, 2024 at the Gate C of Terminal 1 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Ikeja-Lagos without lawful authority possessed 8 kilograms of Methamphetamine, a psychotropic substance under international control, and you thereby committed an act which is an offence contrary to section 20 (1) (c) and punishable under section 20 (2) (b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Count 6:
That you Akomolafe Gbenga Micheal adult, male on or about May 21, 2024 at the Gate C of Terminal 1 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Ikeja-Lagos without lawful authority possessed 7,60 kilograms of Cannabis Sativa, a Narcotic Drug similar to Cocaine, LSD, Heroin, and you thereby Committed an act which is an offence contrary to section 20 (1) (c) and punishable under section 20 (2) (b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.