The operatives of National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Friday, arraigned Osakwe Evbuomwan, before a Lagos Federal High Court, for allegedly smuggling 1.550 kilograms of Tramadol.
According to the NDLEA, the defendant was arrested on December 18, 2021, at the departure hall of Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, during an outward clearance of passengers on Ethiopian Airline.
Arraigning the defendant, prosecutor Mr. Austine Nwagu, told the court that the offences committed by the defendant is contrary to Section 20(1) (a) and punishable under Section 20 (2) (a) of th National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge.
With the defendant’s not guilty plea, the prosecutor, Nwagu, asked the court for a trial date, while also urging the court to remand the defendant in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS), till the determination of the charge.
Responding to the prosecutor’s request, lawyer to the defendant, Mr. Benson Ndakara, told the court that the defendant’s bail application has been filed and that the prosecutor was served.
The prosecutor confirmed been served with the application, but told the court that he has equally filed a counter application.
Justice Lewis Allagoa adjourned till February 4, for ruling on the bail application.
He however, ordered that the defendant be remanded in the NCoS’ custody, till the determination of the bail application.
