NDLEA arrests luggage carrier in possession of 10.39kg of cocaine

A luggage carrier at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, identified as Dyadya Ahmed has been arrested by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA )for allegedly having in his possession 10.39 kilogrammes of cocaine without lawful authority.

Ahmed has been arraigned on two counts before Justice Chuka Obiozor at the Federal High Court in Lagos.

The prosecutor, Augustine Nwagu, told the court that the defendant was arrested on May 2, 2017, adding that he conspired with some other persons, now at large, to commit the crime.

According to Nwagu, Ahmed acted contrary to sections 14 (b) and 19 of the NDLEA Act, Cap N30, Law of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and he is liable to be punished under the same law.

But when the charges were read to him, Ahmed pleaded not guilty and was subsequently granted bail in the sum of N10m with one surety in like sum.

Obiozor said the surety must be a director in either the Lagos State or the Federal Government civil services and must show evidence of tax payment in the last three years.

The surety must be resident in Lagos and must swear to an affidavit of means, said the court.

Both Ahmed and his surety, the court said, must submit two copies of their recent passport photographs, adding that all the information supplied must be verified by the court’s registrar.

He adjourned further proceedings till September 18, 2017.

In a related development, the NDLEA also arraigned one Uchenna Nwankwo, who was allegedly caught with 2.34kg of heroine.

The NDLEA said the defendant hid the illicit substance in his vehicle, a Toyota Avalon, with number plate, KWL 155 LW, adding that he was caught along Ago Palace Road, Amuwo-Odofin, Lagos on May 19, 2017.

But Nwankwo pleaded not guilty to the two counts pressed against him.

The court adjourned till July 26, 2017, to hear the defendant’s application for bail while he was remanded in custody.

Source: ( Punch Newspaper )