By Felix Kuyinu
A businessman, Sulaimon Ganiyu, is to face prosecution over allegations of his involvement in prohibited drug deals.
Justice Akintayo Aluko, at the Federal High Court in Ikeja, Lagos, billed the suspect’s re-arraignment to be held on January 20, 2025.
The suspect was remanded at the Nigerian Correctional Centre, NCoS, pending the determination of his bail application.
Ganiyu, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Barry Shine Sulaimon Nigeria Limited, pleaded not guilty to four separate charges against him.
As documented in two different suits marked FHC/L/731c/2024 and FHC/L/732c/2024 which was filed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA, the accused is facing offences bordering on unlawful management and financing an establishment, Drugs Trafficking Organisation, DTO, and exporting various quantities of Narcotic drugs.
The NDLEA at the court on Wednesday mentioned that the defendant sponsored illegal drug activities for one Ajisegiri Sidikat and Wasiu Sanni, both already convicted.
Further allegations have it that Ganiyu sponsored one Olarenwaju Abdulahi, Oluwafemi Abidoye, Femi Iwaya, Olumuyiwa Olufemi and Alate Buola of Kaffy Travels in related unlawful drug activities.
In addition, another two separate charges of four counts each marked FHC/L/687c/2024 and FHC/L/688c/2024 stated that the litigant, alongside others, Aikhomoun Daniel and Ayigoro Omobolaji, procured moves to peddle 1.022 kilograms and 662 grams of Cocaine.
The law enforcement agency disclosed through it’s prosecutor, Abu Ibrahim, that the offences, contravene Section 14(b), 21 (2)(d), and 20 (1)(g) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and punishable under Section 20 (2) (b) of the said Act.
Sequel to the suspect’s not guilty plea, the prosecution prayed that the court set a trial date for his prosecution.
However, defending counsel, Benson Ndakara, told the court that he would not oppose the trial date as requested by the prosecutor, albeit, he mentioned that his client’s bail application has been filed.
The Judge then adjourned the matter to November 1, for ruling on the bail application and fixed January 20, 2025, for commencement of trial.
The offences were alleged to have been committed on or before June 21, 2024.
