NDLEA Arraigns Man Over Alleged Drug Trafficking

By Felix Kuyinu

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has arrested a suspect identified as Mbaeri Emmanuel over accusations of peddling unlawful drug.

Emmanuel was arraigned at the Federal High Court in Ikeja, Lagos, over accusations of peddling 18.7 kilograms of cocaine.

The court remanded the accused at the Nigerian Correctional Services, NCoS, following his not guilty plea before Justice Alexander Owoeye, who presided over the trial.

Standing as NDLEA Prosecutor, Abu Ibrahim said that the Emmanuel was apprehended at the Muritala Mohammed Airport, Ikeja on October 29, 2024. He added that the suspect hid the illicit substance in the lavatory of Ethiopian Airlines Flight ET 901, which he boarded from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Ibrahim informed that the alledged offence is in violation of Section 20(1)(a) and punishable under Section 20(2)(a) of the NDLEA Act, Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

The defence counsel, Chris Obiaka, prayed the court for a bail for his client. Following an opposition from the the anti-drug agency counsel, Justice Owoeye ruled that Emmanuel should be remanded until February 4, when a decision on the bail application will be delivered.

The trial is to continue on May 5.