Court fixes Jan 31st for trial on suspected drug dealers
By Felix Kuyinu
A trial date has been fixed by a court for prosecution of four men who were alleged to have conspired to export hard drugs from Nigeria to other countries.
The Federal High Court in Lagos fixed January 31, 2024, for the trial of the four-man gang arrested by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA.
In a three count amended charge filed before the court, the agency stated that the suspects : Aremu Isiaka, Solola Wasiu, Aro Aderinde and Ogunbode Adesina between January and July 2022 conspired among themselves to unlawfully export 3.149 Kilogrammes of cannabis sativa also known as Indian hemp (in a container Number MSKU 1820587) thereby commiting an offence contrary to and punishable under section14(b) of the National Drug Law enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria(LFN) 2004.
NDLEA, through it’s counsel, Raphael Himikaye, alleged that there was a refusal by the third defendant, Aro Aderinde, to allow it’s officers to gain access into his home at Ikorodu for a search on the 16th day of October, 2022 even after they had introduced themselves and their mission to him, hence, commiting an offence contrary to and punishable under section 49 (a) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN).
The first charge reads, “That you Aremu Isiaka and Alhaji Solola wasiu both males Adults on or about the 23rd day of July 2022 at Apapa Port, Lagos within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court without lawful authority exported to Netherlands 3.149 Kilogrammes of Cannabis Sativa, also known as similar to Cocaine, Heroin or LSD and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 11(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN) 2004.
Second charge states “That you Alhaji Solola wasiu, Aro Aderinde and Ogunbode Saheed all Males Adults between January and July 2022 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court conspired with each other to unlawfully export 3.149 Kilogrammes of Cannabis Sativa, also known as Indian Hemp (in a Container Number MSKU 1820587) which is a drug similar to Cocaine, Heroin or LSD and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 14(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN) 2004.
Third count alleges “That you Aro Aderinde male, Adult on or about the 16th day of October, 2022 at lkorodu, Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court refused the officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency access into your house to conduct official duty of search even after they have introduced themselves and their mission to you and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 49 (a) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN) 2004.
