Ranmilowo Ojalumo
A clearing agent, Yusuf Olayemi, who is facing a criminal charge of alleged drug trafficking, has again been arraigned before a Lagos Federal High Court, for alleged dealing in 525 grams of cocaine.
The alleged serial drug trafficker, who claimed to be a clearing agent, was arraigned before the court presided over by Justice Saliu Saidu led-court, on count charge of the offence, by the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Yusuf was arrested by the NDLEA, on November 20, 2020, at DHL office, NAHCO of Murtala Muhammad International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, after he had registered the packaged drug, with tracking number 9524930671.
The prosecutor, Mr. Ichakpa Oigoga, told the court that the defendant committed the offence while out on bail for an unlawful exportation of 3 Kilogrammes of Methamphetamine in charge numbered FHC/L/195C/2014, before Justice Sule Hassan.
Ichakpa further told the court that the offences committed by the clearing agent turned drug courier, is contrary to and punishable under Section 11(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency CAP N30 Laws of their Federation of Nigeria 2004.
The defendant denied the allegation and pleaded not guilty.
Following the defendant’s plea of not guilty, the prosecutor, urged the court to remand him in prison custody till the determination of the charge against him.
Ichakpa said his application was premised on the ground that if the defendant is granted bail, he will still continue in enhancing in illicit act. Adding that the defendant did not have reasonable sureties to stand for him if he’s granted bail.
However, the defendant’s counsel, Mr. Benson Ndakara, urged the court to admit his client bail in the most liberal terms.
Ndakara, who is also the defendant’s counsel in charge numbered FHC/L/195c/14, told the court that his client has credible sureties.
Ruling on the application, Justice Saidu, conceded to the submission of the defendant’s counsel, and granted bail to the defendant in the sum of N20 million, with two sureties in like sum.
Justice Saidu adjourned the matter till January 28, 2021, for trial and also ordered that the defendant be remanded till the perfection of his bail terms.
