Businessman ordered remanded in prison over alleged illegal exportation of Tramadol

Justice Akintayo Aluko of a Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, has ordered the remand of a businessman, Obazee Timothy Eguagie, at the Ikoyi centre of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS) for alleged unlawful exportation of a high quantity of Tramadol.

The judge further directed that the alleged hard drug merchant be remanded until June 22, when the prosecution will review the facts of the charge against him and his sentence by the court. 

It would be recalled that the suspected drug dealer had pleaded guilty to a four count-charge of unlawful possession and attempt to illegally export a series of the banned drug, as made against him by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

Addressing the court, the prosecutor, Abu Ibrahim informed the judge that the defendant was arrested on February 23, 2023, at the Gate ‘B’ Departure Hall of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos, during the outward clearance of Turkish Airline Flight from Lagos to Milan, Italy via Istanbul, Pakistan.

The prosecutor listed the series of tramadol that the defendant was arrested with, including 10.60kilograms of Tramadol 225 mg; 600 Grams of Tramadol 200 mg; 800 Grams of Tramadol 100 mg and 19 Grams of Rohypnol 1 mg.

Abu further informed the court that the offence committed by the defendant contravenes section 20 (1) (c) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and punishable under section 20 (2) (c) of the said Act.

However, following the defendant's admittance of committing the alleged crime, the prosecutor asked the court for a trial date, to review the facts of the charges.

Abu told the court to remand the defendant until the determination of the charge against him.

But the lawyer to the defendant, Mr Charles O, however, urged the court to compel the prosecutor to review the facts of the matter, since his client had pleaded guilty to the charge.

Responding, the prosecutor told the court to discountenance the counsel's submissions, on the ground that the matter was only slated for plea. 

Consequently, Justice Aluko adjourned until June 22, for ruling and review of the facts of the matter.

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