Story by Gbenga Ogunbufunmi

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency(NDLEA), today arraigned two men, Irewole  Olayinka alias Kumo  and Ajayi Ifedayo  Stephen, before a Federal High Court Lagos  on a one count charge of unlawful importation of cocaine.

The two defendants and one Aderinkola Muritala Tunde said to be at large were alleged to have on or about the 9th day of  June 2019 at the EMS section of the International Mail processing Centre. Ikeia. Lagos wuhout lawful authorltv imparted 1.044 kilogrammes of Cocaine conceal in two motor shock absorbers from Trinidad and Tobago with tracking number  EE002932526TT and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 20 (1) (a)  and punishable under Section 20 (2) (a) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30, Laws of the Federation. 2004.

While arraigning the defendants before Justice Nicholas Oweibo on Friday, the prosecutor from the NDLEA, Mr F.O Dinneys informed Justice Oweibo that he has one count charge pending against the defendants before the court and pleaded that the  charge be read to the defendants so that they can take their plea.

Consequent upon the application, the one count charge was read to the defendants who pleaded not guilty to it.

Following the not guilty plea of the defendants, the prosecutor, Dinney asked the court for a trial date and that the defendants be remanded in prison custody pending hearing and determination of the trial.

However, the defendants’ counsel, Chief Benson Ndakara and Bolanle Kolawole told Justice Oweibo that they have both filed summons for bail of the defendants and have served the the prosecution while the prosecution had in turn filed a reply to their applications for bail.

Ndakara and Kolawole urged the court to allow them move the application.

The defendants’ counsel thereafter moved the applications for bail urging the court to grant bail to their clients in liberal terms.

Ruling on the bail summons, Justice Oweibo granted bail to the defendants in the sum of five million with two sureties each in like sum.

The trial judge further held that the sureties must be civil servants within Lagos State not below grade level 10 while their address must be verified by the prosecutor.

Meanwhile, the trial has been adjourned till November 7, 2019

The charge against the two defendants reads: That you Irewole Olayinka alias KUMO, Male. Adult and you Ajayi Ifedayo Stephen, Male, Adult and one Aderinkola Muritala Tunde (now at large) on or about June 9, 2019 at the EMS section of the International Mail processing Centre. Ikeia, Lagos without lawful authorltv imparted 1.044 Kilogrammes of Cocaine conceal in two motor shock absorbers from Trinidad and Tobago with tracking number  EE002932526TT and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 20 (1) (a)  and punishable under Section 20 (2) (a) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30, Laws of the Federation. 2004.