A Lagos Federal High Court, today, ordered the remand of an alleged drug  courrier, Ezenyeche Kingsley Ebuka, who allegedly smuggled 250 grams of Cocaine, through his anus, in the custody of the Nigeria Correctional Services (NCoS) Ikoyi, Lagos till September 16, when his bail application will be heard.

The court presided over by Justice Tijani Ringim, made the remand order following the defendants’ arraignment on a two-count charge of Conspiracy and unlawful dealing in the banned substance by Mrs. Juliana Imaobong-Iraobuchi, a prosecution counsel from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) before the court.

The 34 years old defendant was alleged to have conspired with and one Aku, who lives in Pakistan but (now at large).

He was arrested with the banned substance on June 14, 2021, during the inward clearance of Turkish Airways from Pakistan through Istanbul at the “D” arrival Hall of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.

The prosecutor also told the court that upon the defendant’s arrest, he excreted some the banned substance.

The offences according to the prosecutor, are contrary to and punishable under section 11(a) and  14 (b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap. N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 

Following the reading of the charge and the defendant not guilty plea, Imaobong asked the court for a trial date and the remand of the accused in prison custody.

However, counsel to the defendant, Chief Benson Ndakara told the court that while he is not  opposed to the request for a trial date, he told Justice Ringim that he has a bail application and he pleaded that he be allowed to move the application.

Responding, the prosecutor, Mrs. Juliana Imaobong-Iraobuchi, asked the court for a short adjournment to enable her file a counter to the bail application.

She told the court that she just received the bail application upon her resumption to office few days ago, as she has been indisposed due to ill-health and that she is still within time to respond.

Upon listening to the counsel on both side, Justice Ringim acceded to the prosecutor’s request and adjourned the hearing of the bail application till September 16, while ordered that the defendant be remanded in the custody of the Ikoyi facility of Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS)

The charges against the defendant read: “That you Ezenyenche Kingsley Ebuka, Male, 34 years old, a citizen of Nigeria and one Aku, Male, Adult, who lives in Pakistan, a man who normally help you ship your goods from Pakistan down to Nigeria (now at large) on or about the 14th day of June, 2021 during the inward clearance of Turkish Airways from Pakistan through Istanbul at the “D” arrival Hall of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court and without lawful authority imported 250 grames of Heroin from Pakistan to Nigeria, which you inserted in your anus and excreted same, thereby committed an offence contrary to and Punishable under section 11 (a) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N, 30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 

“That you Ezenyeche Kingsley Ebuka, Male, Adult, 34 years old a citizen 
of Nigeria, and one Aku Male Adult who lives in Pakistan and who normally help you to ship your goods from Pakistan down to Nigeria, on or about the 14th day of June, 2021 did conspire to import 250 grames of Heroine from Pakistan to Nigeria which you inserted in your anus and excreted same in one excretion and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 14 (b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, Cap N 30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.