By Francis IWUCHUKWU, Lagos
For allegedly being linked with the suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP, Abba Kyari’s alleged N3 billion hard drug saga, a Nigeria billionaire, Ukatu Afamefuna Mallinson, has been remanded in the facility of the Nigerian Correctional Services, NCoS.
The suspected drug peddler was remanded in prison alongside one of his alleged co-conspirators, Sunday Ifeanyi Ibekwute, on the alleged drug-related offenses by the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, presided over by Justice Peter Lifu.
The decision of the court came consequently upon their plea of not guilty to the charges of conspiracy, trafficking in 322 kilograms of Tramadol, unlawful dealing, and possession of the said banned drug made against them by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA.
It would be recalled that both Ukatu and Sunday were arraigned before the judge last Friday on the alleged offenses, which the prosecutor, Mrs Theresa Asuquo, said contravened Sections 14(b); 11, and 11(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, LFN, 2004.
In the charge designated FHC/L/159c/2021, NDLEA alleged that Ukatu, Sunday, and one Pius Enidom, who has since jumped bail, on May 4, 2021, conspired among themselves to deal in 322 kilograms of Tramadol.
But the duo pleaded not guilty to the charges, which prompted their counsel to urge the court to admit them to bail in the most liberal terms.
However, Mrs Asuquo, urged the court to decline to grant the application on the ground that they are a flight risk.
The case has been adjourned till July 18, 2022, for a ruling on the bail application.
Before the court gave the date for ruling on the bail application, Justice Peter Lifu issued a Bench warrant against Pius Enidom, who had jumped bail and failed to appear in court despite being issued a hearing notice.
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