Justice Abimbola Awogboro of the Federal High Court in Lagos has granted the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) leave to detain, in its custody, two suspected drug dealers pending the conclusion of their investigation.
The two suspects Nnaemeka Nwaozor and Levi Nwogu were arrested by men of the NDLEA in Lagos on March 26, 2023, in possession of 1.155 kilograms of Cocaine.
Justice Awogboro permitted the anti-drug agency to detain the two suspects after listening and granting an ex-parte application filed by one of its lawyers Umar Hussain .
The lawyer had told the court that the application was brought under section 293(1) and 2 of the Administration Of Criminal Justice Act 2015, section 42 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, Section 26 (1)(2) and 41 of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, Cap N30 Laws of the Federation Of Nigeria 2004, and under the court’s Inherent jurisdiction.
In an affidavit attached to the application, Hussain told the court that his agency is mandated by law to investigate, seize and prosecute offences on illegal dealings in Cocaine, Heroin, Methamphetamine, Cannabis sativa and other narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
He stated that he was informed by Azeez Lawal Abiodun and Akingbade Victor, the officers who participated in the raid operation on March 26, 2023, when the two suspects were arrested in possession of the 1.155 kilograms of Cocaine, a drug similar to Heroin and LSD, while conspiring and dealing to distribute to their associates in some part of this country at number 11/13 Onayade Street, Jibowu, SPICERY SOCIETY HOTEL Yaba, Lagos, Lagos state on Friday, March 24, 2023, at about 2000hours.
Hussain further claimed that the first suspect, Nwaozor, is a drug kingpin while the second suspect, Nwogu, is the link man between the first suspect and their entire associates in the drug trafficking network within and outside Nigeria.
Justice Awogboro, after listening to the NDLEA lawyer, ordered that the two drug dealers be remanded in the custody of the NDLEA till the conclusion of the investigation.
The judge further adjourned the matter till April 17 for the presentation of the reports of the investigation.
