NDLEA Arraigns Freight Agent Over Alleged Drug Trafficking

A freight agent, God’spower Phillip Odiete, has been arraigned before a Lagos Federal High Court, over alleged conspiracy and unlawful importation of 13.5 kilograms of Cannabis Indica, a prohibited drug similar to cocaine, heroin and others.

Arraigning the defendant, the prosecutor, Mr. K. Adebajo, told the court they the freight agent on May 17, 2024, conspired with the duo of Victor Addah and Ejimnkoye Livinus, both now at large, to illegally imported the banned drug.

The prosecutor also told the court, the freight agent and other now at large, committed the alleged offences at the Tin-Can Island, Apapa, Lagos.

He told the court that the alleged illegal acts of the defendant contravened sections 14(b) and 11(a) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004. And punishable under the same Act.

The defendant denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Based on the defendant’s not guilty plea, the prosecutor asked the court for a trial date, while also urged the court to remand him in Correctional Center, till the determination of the charge.

But, lawyer to the defendant, Chief Benson Ndakara, pleaded with the court to admit bail to the defendant, saying that the application for his bail has been filed and same has been served on the prosecutor.

Chief Ndakara also told the court that the defendant is his cousin, and pleaded with the court to remand him in NDLEA custody, because of his state of his health.

Justice Osiagor, in his ruling on the parties’ submissions, admitted the defendant o bail in the sum of N3 million, with a surety in the like sum.

Justice Osiagor also ordered that the surety must show evidence of three years tax payment, means of livelihood and others.

The judge, while adjourning the matter October 23, for commencement of trial, order that the defendant be remanded with the NDLEA, pending when he is able to meet the bail terms.

Charges Against The Defendant Reads: “That you GOD’SPOWER PHILLIP ODIETE, Male, Adult on or about the 17th day of May 2024 at Tincan Island Port, Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court without lawful authority conspired with VICTOR ADDAH and EJIMNKOYE LIVINUS (both at large) to import 13.5 Kilogrammes of Cannabis Indica, a narcotic drug similar to Cocaine, Heroin and 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 2004

“That you GOD’SPOWER PHILLIP ODIETE, Male, Adult on or about the 17th day of May 2024 at Tincan Island Port, Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court without lawful authority imported 13.5 Kilogrammes of Cannabis Indica, a narcotic drug similar to Cocaine, Heroin and LSD and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 11(a) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation the 2004.”