A Lagos Federal High Court has ordered the remand of an alleged drug peddler, Ezenyeche Kinglet Ebuka, who allegedly smuggled 250 grammes of cocaine, through his anus, in the custody of the Nigeria Correctional SerÂvices (NCoS) Ikoyi.
The judge ordered the defendant to remain in custody until September 16, when his bail application would be heard.
Justice Tijani Ringim, who presided over the matter, made the remand order following the defendants’ arraignment on a two-count charge of conÂspiracy and unlawful dealing in the banned substance by Mrs Juliana Imaobong-IraoÂbuchi, a prosecution counsel from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDÂLEA) before the court.
The defendant, 34 years old, is alleged to have conspired with one Aku, who lives in Pakistan, but (now at large).
He was arrested with the banned substance on June 14, 2021, during the inward clearance of Turkish Airlines from Pakistan through Istanbul at the “D” arrival hall of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Ikeja, Lagos.
The prosecutor also told the court that the defendant excreted some of the banned substances upon arrest.
According to the prosecutor, the offences are contrary to and punishable under secÂtion 11(a) and 14 (b) of the NaÂtional Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap. N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
After the charge was read and the defendant pleaded not guilty, Imaobong, prosecution counsel requested a trial date and the accused be remanded in prison.
Nevertheless, counsel to the defendant, Chief Benson Ndakara, told the court that while he is not opposed to the request for a trial date, he requested permission to move his bail application.
In response, the prosecutor, Mrs Juliana Imaobong-Iraobuchi, asked the court for a short adjournment to file a counter to the bail application.
JusÂtice Ringim, having heard the counsel for both parties, adjourned the bail hearing until September 16 and ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Nigerian Correctional Services’ (NCOS) facility at Ikoyi.
