* Scales of Justice * Source: Iconfinder
Two men, Okonkwo Victor and Bankole Johnson, were today remanded in prison custody by Justice Hadiza Rabiu-Shagari of the Federal High Court, Lagos, over unlawful dealing in cocaine.
Okonkwo and Bankole who also bears Rotimi Adekunle, were arraigned before the court by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), in a count-charge of unlawful dealing in the banned drug.
At the arraignment of the two men today, NDLEA Prosecutor, Kunle Adebajo, informed the court that the defendants were arrested at the EMS section of Marina Post Office, on July 15, 2017, where they have gone to receive 200 grammes of Cocaine, sent to them by their accomplice.
He said the offences committed by the defendants are contrary to section 11(b) of the NDLEA Act Cap. N30, laws of the federation of Nigeria, 2004.
The duo, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Following the defendants’ not guilty plea, the prosecutor pleaded with the court for a trial date, while also urged the court to remand them in prison custody pending the determination of the case.
However, lawyers to the defendants, Mr. Anthony Nnamoko, and Chief Lilian Omotunde, jointly told the court that they are not opposing the prosecutor’s application for a trial date, but pleaded with the court to grant their clients bail in the most liberal terms.
Both Nnamoko and Omotunde told the court that they separately filed application for their clients’ bail and attached with the said applications are affidavits and writing addresses.
The lawyers also told the court that their clients have competent surety to stand for them.
In response to the defendants’ bail applications, the NDLEA’s prosecutor, Mr. Adebajo urged the court to refuse the defendants’ bail applications due to the gravity of the offence committed by the defendants.
However, the Presiding Judge, Justice Hadiza Rabiu-Shagari while adjourning the trial of the defendants to November 20, ordered that the two defendants be remanded in the prison custody, pending when she will rule on their bail applications.
