The National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Monday arraigned one, Oladapo Ifedayo Oluseyi, a dual citizen of Nigeria and Denmark for allegedly dealing in hard drugs unlawfully.
The accused person was arraigned before Justice Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High Court, Lagos on charges bordering on conspiracy, unlawful cultivation and dealing in hard drugs and unlawful possession of the said banned substance.
According to the NDLEA prosecutors, Augustine Nwogu and Jonathan Igwubor, the 41 years old defendant was arrested on May 18, 2020, at 7, Imam Augusto Close, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The prosecutors told the court the accused person, during his arrest, was found in possession of 1.127 kilograms of Cannabis cream; 83 grammes of Hashish Oil: 123mg THC-70mg CBD and 21kg of Cannabis infused Ethanol.
The Danish Nigerian citizen was also alleged to have unlawfully engaged in the hypotonic growing of 80 grammes of fresh Cannabis sativa plants and 25 grammes of dried Cannabis sativa plants, a drug similar to Cocaine, Heroin and LSD etc.
NDLEA also told the court that the accused person allegedlly unlawful engaged in the acquisition of equipment meant for a Clandestine Laboratory which he established in his building for the production and or manufacture and extraction of the said hard drugs.
According to the prosecutors, the offences are contrary to the United Nations Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs 1961 and its Protocols and the Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances 1989, (as contained in the Second Schedule of the NDLEA ACT, 2004).
It is also contrary to the provisions of Section 20(1) (3), 11(3) 19 and 20(1)(e) and punishable under Sections 20(2)(a) 11(3), of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
The Nigerian Danish citizen however pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Following his not guilty plea, the prosecutors, urged court to remand him in their custody, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and also asked for accelerated hearing of the charge against him.
However, his lawyer, Oluwaseun Ishola Coker, urged the court to consider the COVID-19 pandemic and admit his client to bail. He also begged the court, in view of the pandemic, to release the defendant to him while undertook to always ensure that he present in court to face his trial.
The prosecutors however told the court that the defendant is a Nigerian and Danish, and that there is likelihood of jumping the bail if granted. The prosecution therefore urged the court to refuse the bail application and orders accelerated hearing of the charge.
Justice Oweibo eventually admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N5 million with one surety in like sum.
The judge also ordered that the surety must be a tax payer with landed property within the court’s jurisdiction. While also ordered the defendant to deposit both his Nigeria and Denmark’s passports with the Court’s Deputy Chief Registrar (DCR). The matter till November 5, for trial.
