Court Orders Remand Of Five Alleged Ikorodu Drug Lords
Justice Peter Lifu of a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has ordered the remand of five alleged drug barons arrested in Ikorodu by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The trial judge ordered that the defendants including Soji Jubril Oke; Wasiu Akinade; Emmanuel Arinze Chukwu; Oguntolure Sunday and a Jamaican, Kelvin Christopher Smith be remanded in Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS), Ikoyi following their arraignment by the NDLEA.
They all pleaded not guilty to six count charges bordering on conspiracy, unlawful importation of 2,139.55 kilograms of cocaine, engaging in the organisation, management and financing of a Drug Trafficking Organisation (DTO) and unlawful possession of the same drug.
However, the prosecution counsel, Umar Hussain told the court that the defendants were arrested with the drugs between July and September 18 and 19, 2022 at No 6, Olukonla Crescent, Solebo Estate, Ikorodu, Lagos.
Their offences are said to be contrary to sections 14 (b): 20 (1)(g); 11 and 19 of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act CAP N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 (as amended) and punishable under sections 20 (2)(b) of the same Act.
Following the defendants’ plea, the prosecutor prayed the court for a trial date. He also prayed the court to remand them in a correctional facility pending the determination of the charges against them.
The defendants’ counsel, Chief Benson Ndakara and Chief Liliana Omotunde urged the court to grant their clients bail in the most liberal terms.
Ndakara told the court that two of his clients, Soji Jubril Oke and Wasiu Akinade, are having serious health issues.
After listening to their submissions, the judge ordered the remand of all the defendants in the Ikoyi facility of the NCoS, and adjourned ruling to 17th January 2023.
The judge also ordered the head of the correctional centre to furnish the court with the health reports of the alleged sick defendants within two weeks.
