The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arraigned an alleged drug baron, Jimoh Sulaimon, popularly known as Temo, before the Federal High Court in Lagos for allegedly dealing in 704 kilograms of cannabis sativa also known as (Ghana Loud).
The NDLEA docked Temo before Justice Deinde Dipeolu on a six-count charge of importation, processing, trafficking and dealing in the illicit drug.
The agency also accused him and four others, Ojo Emmanuel, Wasiu Olayinka Saliu, Taofeek Noah and one Kazeem, all said to be at large, of concealment of illicit funds, money laundering and running a Drug Trafficking Organisation between 2020 and 2024.
The prosecutor, Lambert Nor, informed the judge that Temo and others have been engaging in the alleged illegal acts in Nigeria and Ghana.
Nor, who is NDLEA, head of the legal department, also claimed that the defendant and others at large, without lawful authority, engaged in the concealment and disguise of the drugs.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Based on his plea, the prosecutor informed the court that he had four witnesses in court ready to testify against the defendant; he also urged the court to remand the defendant in prison till the determination of the charges against him.
But, the defence lawyer, Chief Benson Ndakara, who accused the agency of media trial of his client, also informed the court that the defendant’s bail application had been filed but would be argued later.
Justice Dipeolu, before adjourning the case to October 2 for the continuation of the trial, ordered that the defendant be remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Services.
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