Justice Daniel Osiagor of a Lagos Federal High Court, today, grants the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) power to remand an alleged drug trafficker, Owolabi Elegushi, for 14 days.
Justice Osiagor made the remand order, while granting an Exparte motion marked FHC/L/CS/948/2023, moved by NDLEA lawyer, N. J. Mamza.
The suspect, Owolabi Elegushi, was arrested by the NDLEA’s operatives, with large quantity of banned substances which include: Cannabis Sativa, Cocaine, Heroin and Methamphetamine, on Lagos Island, recently.
In urging the court to remand the suspect till the conclusion of investigation, Mamza, told the court that the application was pursuant to Section 293 of the Administration Of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, Section 41 the NDLEA Act Cap N 30 LFN 2004 and the court’s inherent jurisdiction.
She also moved an affidavit in support of the motion exparte deposed to by Kayode Abu Ojo, a litigation officer with the agency.
Mr. Kayode In the affidavit, stated that NDLEA is mandated by law to investigate, seize and prosecute offences in relation to Cocaine, Heroin, Methamphetamine, Cannabis Sativa and other narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
He stated that in the course of its work, the NDLEA received confidential information that Owolabi Elegushi belongs to a transnational drug cartel and imports and exports hard drugs. And that the information turned out to be a confirmed and correct one.
He stated that based on the fact above, the NDLEA placed surveillance on the said Owolabi Elegushi for a period of six months, and on May 13, 2023, he was arrested with 2.318 kilograms of Cannabis Sativa, 10 grammes of Molly and 278 grammes of Methamphetamine at Lagos Island. And that the suspect while planning to escape was arrested by the NDLEA.
He stated further that it has become necessary to keep the drug suspect for additional fourteen days, because of the need to investigate this matter and discover the syndicate involved in the this Criminal activity and that investigation is already at an advanced stage.
Deponent states further that he was informed by Lambert N. Nor, an NDLEA’s Solicitor, in their office on May 22, 2023 AT 15:00 hours that the action of the suspected drug dealer, said Owolabi Elegushi is a criminal act under the NDLEA Act. And that it is necessary to seek this Order in order not to violate constitutional time for detention. Adding that it is necessary to secure time in order to complete the investigation into this matter, which the court has the jurisdiction and the powers to grant.
Justice Osiagor after listening to N. J. Mamza, held that he is satisfied with the submission counsel, and that it’s within the power of NDLEA to investigate, seize and prosecute offences in relation to Cocaine, Heroin, Methamphetamine, Cannabis Sativa.
Justice Osiagor therefore ordered that the drug baron, Owolabi Elegunshi, be remanded for the next 14 days, to allow NDLEA to complete investigation.
The matter has been adjourned to June 16, for report of investigation.
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