A Federal High Court, Lagos, presided over by Justice Deinde Dipeolu, today refused the bail application filed by an alleged drug baron, Jimoh Sulaimon, popularly called Temo or Olowo Ije Ogede.
Temo who is also known as godfather and 001, is being prosecuted by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) before the court on a six-count of conspiracy, trafficking 704 kilograms of cannabis sativa (Ghana Loud), running of a Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO), and money laundering.
The offences according to the NDLEA prosecutors, Mrs. Theresa Asuquo, a Director in the NDLEA and Lambert Nor, Head of Legal Department, Lagos State Command of the NDLEA, contravened sections 20(1)(g); 14(b); 18(a); 20(i); 11(b) and 11(c) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Temo was first arraigned before the court September 25, 2024, on the alleged offences.
During his trial, his lawyer, Chief Benson Ndakara had filed his bail application which was vehemently opposed by the NDLEA through it’s lawyers, Mrs. Asuquo and Mr. Nor.
The judge after taking arguments on the bail application, had ordered accelerated hearing of the case, while adjourned till today, for ruling on the bail application.
Refusing the alleged drug baron’s bail application today, the presiding judge after reading through the processes filed by the parties and cited several plethora of authorities and coupled that he had granted accelerated hearing of the matter, held that: the court rule to that it had earlier ordered accelerated trial and the prosecution has kept to the order by calling 11 witnesses.
“That the matter is still on accelerated trial, the bail is hereby refused.”
