Two drug traffickers arraigned, remanded till perfection of bail terms
By Jude-Ken Ojinnaka
Justice Ambrose Lewis Allagoa of a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has ordered the remand of two alleged drug traffickers following their plea of ‘not guilty’ to the charges preferred against them by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Mordi Chukwuemeka Samuel (39) and his co-defendant, Oshilaja Bukola (38), were docked before the court for trafficking in 900 grammes of Cannabis Sativa, also known as Marijuana.
The two alleged drug traffickers, were charged before the court by the NDLEA operatives, on a two count-charge of conspiracy and unlawful exportation of the banned weed.
The prosecutor, Mr. Augustine Nwagu, told the court that the two drug traffickers, were arrested in April this year.
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He further told the court that the defendants had conspired with the duo of one Tunde and Jide, whose surnames were not provided, to illegally export the banned substance to Nairobi, Kenya capital.
According to the prosecutor, the defendants’ act contravened Sections 14(b) and 11(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and punishable under the same Act.
When the charge was read to them, the defendants pleaded not guilty to the counts.
Following their plea of not guilty, their counsel, Chief Benson Ndakara, informed the court that he had filed and served his client’s motion for bail and same have been served on the prosecutor. The prosecutor admitted being served with the bail processes, and told the court that he had responded to the motion.
In opposing the application, the prosecutor urged court to disregard the defendants’ request on the ground that they are flight risk. He added that they will interfere with the witness and exhibits, as well hinder efforts to arrest fleeing members of the group.
After taking counsel’s submissions on the ball application, Justice Allagoa ruled in favour of the defendants and admitted each of them to bail in the sum of N10 million with one surety each.
The judge ordered that the surety must reside within the jurisdiction of the court while the address should be verified by the prosecution.
While adjourning the matter to October 20, 2023 for trial, Justice Ambrose Lewis Allagoa ordered that the woman be remanded at the female section of Kirikiri Prison and the man should be remanded at Ikoyi .
The alleged drug traffickers will be remanded till they are able to meet the bail terms granted them.
Charges against the defendants read: “that you Mordi Chukwuemeka Samuel, male, 39 years old; Oshilaja Bukola, female, 38 years old, sometime in April 2023, in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court conspired with Mr. Tunde (now at large) and Mr. Jide (now at law) to export 900 grammes of Cannabis Sativa, a narcotic drug similar to Cocaine, Heroin, LSD and thereby committed 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.
“That you Mordi Chukwuemeka Samuel, male, 39 years old; Oshilaja Bukola, female, 38 years old on or about the 29th day of April 2023, during the examination and clearing of cargo for export to Nairobi, Kenya at NAHCO Export Shed at Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, without lawful authority exported 900 grammes of Cannabis Sativa, a narcotic drug similar to Cocaine, Heroin or LSD and thereby committed 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.”