NDLEA official, civilian docked for allegedly importing cocaine

An official of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Adeogun Olajide, and a civilian, Adams Michael, were on Thursday arraigned for allegedly importing 2. 692 kilogrammes of cocaine.

The accused persons were docked at a Federal High Court in Lagos, on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy and importation of narcotic drugs.

The accused persons denied committing the offence.

The prosecutor, Mr Augustine Nwagu, also an NDLEA official, told the court that the accused persons committed the alleged offences between January and March 8.

He said that the alleged offences were committed at the International Mail Processing Centre of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos.

According to the prosecutor, the narcotic drugs were brought into Nigeria at different times and in varying quantities.

“The accused had on Feb. 24 imported 2.092 kilogrammes of cocaine.

“They also imported 600 kilogrammes of this same substance on or before March 8 without lawful authority.’’
He said the accused by their alleged act had contravened Sections 11 (a) (b) and 14 (b) of the NDLEA Act Cap N30, Laws of the Federation 2004.

The prosecutor urged the court to remand the accused in the NDLEA’s remand facility pending the time investigation would be concluded.

But counsel to the accused, Mr Benson Ndakara, opposed the oral bail application and urged the court to admit his clients to bail.

He told the court that the accused had been in detention since March and that it would be appropriate and fair to release them on bail.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the accused could be sentenced to life imprisonment if convicted of the charges.

Justice Saliu Saidu, however, ordered that the accused should be remanded at the NDLEA facility for seven days.

“But if the NDLEA fails to conclude its investigation within seven days, I will entertain the bail applications of the accused,’’ Saidu further ordered.

The case was adjourned till May 14.