Justice Akintayo Aluko of the Federal High Court in Lagos has granted a 41-year-old man, Udechukwu Theophilus, accused of trafficking 1.279 kilogrammes of Cocaine by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Justice Aluko admitted Theophilus to bail in the sum of N20 million with one surety in like sum after he was arraigned before him on a two-count charge of conspiracy and drug trafficking.
The NDLEA lawyer, Augustine Nwagu, who arraigned the defendant, informed the judge that he was arrested with the illicit drug on January 21, 2024, during the inward clearance of passengers on an Ethiopian Airline flight from Brazil via Addis Ababa at the “D” Arrival Hall of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Ikeja.
Nwagu also told the court that the defendant allegedly committed the crime alongside an accomplice simply identified as Kingsley, said to be at large.
The prosecutor further stated that the offences are contrary to sections 11(a) and 14(b)of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Upon his not-guilty plea, Nwagu urged the court to remand the defendant in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS) till the determination of the charge. He equally asked for a trial date.
The defence lawyer, Chief Benson Ndakara, informed the court that he had filed a bail application on behalf of his client, which had been served on the prosecutor and has responded by filing a counter affidavit to the bail application.
After listening to the parties, Justice Aluko admitted the alleged drug trafficker to bail in the sum of N20 million with one surety in like sum.
Before adjourning the matter to July 2 for the commencement of the trial, Justice Aluko ordered that the defendant be remanded in the Ikoyi custody of the NCoS till his bail terms are met.
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