[FILES] Tramadol
• Businessman remanded for alleged N84 million fraud
The National Drug Laws Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), yesterday arraigned a 48-year-old man, Pius Enidom, before a Federal High Court, Lagos for allegedly trafficking in 332 kilograms of the prohibited tablet, Tramadol.
The man was arraigned before Justice Nicholas Oweibo.
NDLEA lawyer, Mr. Jerry Aernan, told the court that the defendant was arrested with the drugs, by the Agency’s Operatives, on May 4, 2021, at Presken Hotel, Opebi-Ikeja.
Aernan told the court that the defendant’s act contravened Section 11 (b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap. N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and punishable under the same Act.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Following the defendant’s plea, the prosecutor asked the court for a trial date, while also urging the court to remand him pending the determination of the charge against him.
However, the defendant’s counsel, Chief Benson Ndakara, pleaded with the court to grant bail to his client on liberal terms.
Ndakara told the court that his request is pursuant to an application for bail which has been served on the prosecution.
Upon taking arguments on the bail application, Justice Oweibo, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N5 million with two sureties in like sum, among others.
Justice Oweibo, while adjourning the matter till November 10, for the defendant’s trial, however, ordered that the defendant be remanded in NDLEA custody pending the time he perfects the bail terms.
Similarly, a division of the FCT High Court has ordered the remand of a businessman, Sani Shehu Abdullahi in Kuje Custodial Centre for an alleged N84 million fraud.
Abdullahi and his company, First Class General Business and Investment Limited, alongside one Abubakar Mohammed, who is on the run, were arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, before Justice Sylvanus Chinedu Orji, in Maitama, Abuja
The anti-graft agency’s spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, on Wednesday, said the duo were arraigned on eight count charges bordering on obtaining by false pretense to the tune of N84 million. Abdullahi pleaded not guilty to the charges.
In view of his plea, the prosecution counsel, Olanrewaju Adeola asked the court for a date and requested that the defendant be remanded at a Correctional Centre.
However, counsel to the defendants, Ohene Chris applied for the defendant to continue enjoying the administrative bail earlier granted to him by the EFCC.
But the prosecution counsel opposed the application, urging the judge to remand him in prison.
Justice Orji, remanded the defendant at Kuje Custodial Centre.
