The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, arraigned a senior immigration officer, Gbenga Akomolafe, before the Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday for allegedly trafficking eight kilogrammes of methamphetamine and 7.60 kilogrammes of cannabis sativa, also known as marijuana.
Akomolafe, who is currently employed at the Murtala Muhammad International Airport in Ikeja, Lagos, was arraigned with Babatunde Olufemi, a Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria employee, Nwadozie Amaechi, and Nwosu Cyril.
The defendants, who face nine counts of conspiracy, unlawful possession, importation, and dealing in forbidden narcotics, were arraigned before Justice Daniel Osiagor.
While the other three members of the gang pleaded guilty to the allegations against them, the immigration officer denied committing the crimes and pleaded not guilty on all counts.
Following the immigration officer’s not guilty plea, his lawyer, Benson Ndakara, appealed with the court to allow him to bail under the most lenient circumstances.
As a result, Justice Osiagor granted Akomolafe bail of N10 million, with one surety in the same amount.
As a result, Justice Osiagor granted Akomolafe bail of N10 million, with one surety in the same amount.
The judge also directed that the surety be a civil servant of the Assistant Director cadre working for Lagos State or the Federal Government.
Osiagor convicted Babatunde, Nnadozie, and Nwosu based on their guilty pleas and sentenced them to four years on each count.
The three convicts were forced to pay a fine of N2 million on each count.
