The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arraigned a man, Gbenga Aregbesola before the Federal High Court in Lagos for allegedly smuggling into Nigeria 14.5 kilograms marijuana in an imported car.
Aregbesola was arraigned before Justice Daniel Osiagor on a two-count charge of conspiracy and unlawful importation of the banned substance.
The prosecutor, Dennis Fingere, told the judge that the defendant brought in the car and the drug in a 40 feet container marked MSMU 5570168.
Fingere also told the court that the defendant committed the offences on September 12, 2022, alongside Adebayo Olorunnisola and one Mayowa, who are said to be at large.
He claimed that the defendant was arrested at the Tincan Island Port, Lagos.
The prosecutor insisted that the offences are contrary to sections 11(a) and 14(a) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act Cap N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN) 2004 and punishable under the same Act.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Based on his plea, Fingere urged the court to fix a trial date and to remand the defendant in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS) pending the determination of the charge.
