Justice Friday Nkemakonam Ogazi of a Federal High Court, Lagos, has extended detention order of a vessel, MV San Antonio and its 21 crews, accused of smuggling 25.5 Kilogrames of cocaine into Nigeria, for another 14 days.
The vessel, MV San Antonio and its 21 crews were arrested by the officials of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on their arrival at the Apapa port, Lagos,which arrived from Brazil on December 6, with the prohibited drug concealed in bulk of sugar.
The vessel and its crews were handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), for further investigation and prosecution.
The vessel crews are: the vessel’s master, Trofymov Oleksandr, and other crew members: Stoychev Sergiy; Bobrov Maksim; Stupnytsky Sergiy; Bitinev Aleksei; Novruzov Teymur; Sosnov Oleg; Bondar Ihor; Klymenko Oleh; Cala Michael De Jesus; Jamir Julfikhar Jacusalem; Blanco Cruz Veloso; Fajardo Ronnel Luntaao; Gumela Lolito Jr. Serojano; Toston Romulo Jr. Oling; Smirnov Viacheslav; Gorre Mar Kemmeth Tabudlong; Cruz John Vhoie Glavez; Sablan Jamille Alorro; Abesia Kelvin Belarmino; and Ubay Kenneth Biaoco.
Justice Ogazi had on December 12, while granting an Exparte motion filed and moved by Barrister Kunle Adebajo, permitted the NDLEA to detain the vessel and its crews for 14 days.
However, at the resumed hearing of the matter today, the NDLEA lawyer, informed the court of the agency’s application for extension of the remand order for another 14 days.
The lawyer informed the court that the anti-narcotic agency was yet to conclude investigation, hence he brought the application for extension of time.
He said the application is supported with an eight paragraphs affidavit deposed to by one Fatogun Thompson.
He also told the court that during the investigation, some Nigerians were linked to the alleged drug trafficking.
He therefore urged the court to grant the application as prayed.
In his ruling, Justice Ogazi held that: “…… in view of submission of the applicant’s counsel, am of the view that the application has merit and same is granted as prayed.”
The matter has been adjourned to january 13, for report of investigation.
