Businessman with 5 Tonnes of Tramadol arraigned by NDLEA

By Francis IWUCHUKWU

For allegedly owning 5, 458. 894 kilograms of Tramadol without lawful authority, the National Drugs Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) yesterday arraigned a businessman, Ezekiel Ibe before a Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos State, Nigeria.

In addressing the court presided over by Justice Yellim Bogoro, the prosecutor, Jerry Aernan revealed that Ezekiel Ibe was arrested on December 23, 2021, at Amuwo-Odofin, Lagos, for unlawful possession of the said banned drugs.

Justice Yellim Bogoro was further told that the offence is contrary to and punishable under Section 11(c) of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N20, Laws of the Federation of Nigerian, 2004.

The charge against the defendant reads: “That you Ezekiel Ibe, male adult, 48 years old, on or about the 23rd day of December 2021, at Amuwo-Odofin, Lagos State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court, without lawful authority knowingly possessed 5,458. 894 kgs of Tramadol Psychotropic substance similar to Cocaine, Heroin and LSD and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 11(c) of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N20, Laws of the Federation of Nigerian, 2004.”

But Ezekiel Ibe pleaded not guilty to the charge and had since been granted bail in the sum of N10 million with two sureties.

While granting the bail, Justice Yellim Bogoro directed that one of the sureties must be a landed property owner either in Victoria Island or the Ikoyi area of Lagos State, adding that both the defendant and sureties must submit two passport photographs.

The judge ordered that Ezekiel Ibe should be remanded in NCoS’ custody till the perfection of the bail conditions.

The case has been adjourned till April 7 and May 9, 2022

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