A Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, has ordered the remand of a 70-year-old woman, Barek Mary Yetunde, at the Ikoyi Correctional Facility over her alleged involvement in the trafficking of 13 kilograms of cocaine.
The trial judge, Justice Friday Ogazi, issued the order on Wednesday after the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) arraigned the septuagenarian.
The defendant is facing a two-count charge bordering on the unlawful possession, transportation, and exportation of narcotic drugs.
According to the charge sheet, Yetunde, a resident of Okota, Lagos, was arrested on June 28, 2026, at the Departure Hall of Terminal 2, Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja.
The NDLEA alleged that she was caught during the outward clearance of passengers on a Virgin Atlantic flight bound for the United Kingdom.
The prosecution, led by Mr Abu Ibrahim, told the court that the defendant illegally exported and transported the 13 kg of cocaine from her residence to the airport without lawful authority.
The offences contravene Section 11(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, Cap N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
When the charges were read, the defendant pleaded not guilty.
Following her plea, the defence counsel, Chief Benson Ndakara, informed the court of a pending bail application, citing the defendant’s advanced age and health challenges.
He urged the court to consider remanding her in NDLEA custody pending the hearing of the bail motion.
However, the NDLEA prosecutor opposed this request, stating that the agency lacks adequate holding facilities to accommodate the defendant.
Justice Ogazi, citing the heavy volume of cases on the vacation cause list, declined to hear the bail application immediately.
Consequently, the court adjourned the matter to September 2, 2026, for the hearing of the bail application and ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Nigerian Correctional Centre, Ikoyi, pending the determination of her bail.
#NDLEA #LagosNews #CocaineBust #IkoyiCourt #DrugTrafficking #NigeriaNews #CrimeWatch #MMIA
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