NDLEA Arraigns 2 For Unlawful Dealing In 13kg Of Hard Drug
Two hard drug importers, Hassan Bishi Taiwo and Ikebuila Chukwunonso Samson, were today, arraigned before a Lagos Federal High Court, by the men of National Drug Laws Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), for unlawful dealing in 1.6 kilogrammes of Cocaine and 11.55 kilogrammes of heroin.
The two defendants were arraigned separately. 
While Hassan was arraigned on a count-charge of unlawful dealing in 1.6 kilogrammes of Cocaine, Ikebuila was arraigned on a two-count charge of conspiracy and unlawful dealing in 11.55 kilogrammes of heroin.
Arraigning the two defendants today, the prosecutor, Mr. Augustine Nwagu, told the court presided over by Justice Nicholas Oweibo, that Hassan was apprehended on March 5, 2021, during the inward clearance of passengers on Ethiopian Airline flight from Addis Ababa at E’ Arrival Hall of Murtala Mohammed international Airport, Ikeja Lagos.
While also told the court that the second defendant, Ikebuila, who was said to have conspired with one Anthony Ogbubugku, now at large, was arrested on April 12, 2021, with 11.55 kilogrammes of heroin, during the examination and clearing of cargo for Ethiopian Airline flight from South Africa at SAHCO Import Shed at Murtala Mohammed international Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.
Nwagu told the court that the offences committed by the two defendants are contrary to and punishable under Section 14 (a), 14(b) and 11(4) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
The two defendants denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Following their plea of not guilty, the prosecutor, Mr. Nwagu, urged the court to remand them in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS) till the conclusion of their trial.
However, their lawyers, Chief Benson Ndakara and Mr. E. U. Okeyin, pleaded with the court to admit their clients to bail in the most liberal terms, as the charges against them are bailable ones.
Justice Oweibo, in his ruling on the defendants’ bail application, held that; “the defendants have place before the court sufficient materials, that will make their applications to succeed”.
Consequently, Justice Oweibo admitted bail to each of defendants in the sum of N5 million with two sureties. The judge added that the sureties must be a landed property owners within the court’s jurisdiction.
The judge while adjourned the matter till October 12, 2021, for trial, also ordered that the defendants be remanded in the custody of NCoS till the satisfaction of the bail terms.
