As the trial of a suspected drug baroness, and Lagos socialite, Mrs. Funmilola Ariket Ogbuaya, who is also known as Funmilola Ogundipe, popularly known is social circle as Ariket, who is facing trial for trafficking in cocaine resumed today, the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has tendered some exhibits before a Federal High Court, Lagos.
Ariket alongside her accomplice, Mrs. Omolara Odeyemi, who also bears Ariyo Monsurat Olabisi, are facing trial before the court presided over by Justice Hadiza Rabiu-Shagari, on a three count-charge of conspiracy, aiding and abaiting and procuring unlawful procuring of cocaine.
It would be recalled that Ariket’s accomplice, Omolara Odeyemi, is currently serving a 25 year-jail term.
She was convicted and sentenced to the jail term in June, after pleaded guilty to charges of unlawful possession of cocaine and attempt to transport the said drug to Saudi Arabia, when she was arraigned before the court.
At the resumed trial of the accused persons on Thursday, the NDLEA through its prosecutor, Abu Ibrahim, called it’s first witness, a forensic analyst, Mr. Anebi Ajilima, who testified and also tendered some exhibits.
The NDLEA forensic analyst, while being led-in-evidence told the court how samples of the seized drug was handed over to him for scientific test.
Anebi told the court that upon receiving the sample, he counducted scientific test and the drug proved to be cocaine.
Thereafter the evidence, the witness through the NDLEA tendered transparent evidence pouch, request for scientific form, large brown envelope and drug analysis report, which were admitted as exhibits A, B, C and D.
Lawyers to the accused persons, Mr. Wilson King and Bayo Onifade did not to the admisibility of the exhibits.
However, the matter has been adjourned till November 20 and December 4 and 11, for continuation of trial of accused persons.
The convict was arraigned before the court in June this year, on three counts charge of conspiracy, unlawful possession of banned drug, and attempt to export the said banned drug to Saudi Arabia. While the Lagos socialite, Ariket is facing charges bordering on conspiracy, aiding and abetting and procuring of the said banned drug for the convict.
The offences according to the prosecution, are contrary to sections 14(b), 11(b) and 19 of the National Drugs Laws Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30, Laws if the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
It would be recalled that the Lagos socialite Ariket, recently forfeited nine landed properties to the Federal government of Nigeria, when she evaded arrest over alleged drug dealing. But later surrendered herself to the agency, and she was arraigned alongside the convict in an amended charge marked FHC/L/124c/2017.
Properties temporary forfeited to the Federal government of Nigeria by the socialite includes: 146, Idimu Road, Alimosho, Lagos, 235, Ikotun-Idimu Road, Ikotun, Lagos; 18, Olayiwola Shittu Street, Abaranje, Ikotun; 13B, Ladipo Kuku, Off Allen Avenue, Ikeja.
Others include: 8, Olufemi Avenue, Omiasoro, Ilesa, Ilesa East LGA, Osun State; 6, Hakeem-One, Momoh Close, Governor’s Road, Ikotun; a plot of land at council area, Cele Bus stop, Idimu-Ikotun, and a plot of land along Papalanto-Shagamu Road, Omu-Penpe Village, Obafemi-Owode LGA, Ogun State.
The above-mentioned properties were ordered to be temporary forfeited to the Federal government by the Court, Lagos, sequel to a Motion Ex-parte filed and argued before the court by the NDLEA prosecutor, Mr. Abu Ibrahim
In urging the court to grant the application the prosecutor had told the court that the application was brought pursuant to section 44(2)(k) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended in 2011), Section 3(1)(a)(c), 33(1)(a), 2 and 3, 36(b) of the National Drugs Laws Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30, Law of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and under inherent jurisdiction of the Federal High Court.
Ibrahim had urged the court to that the listed properties of Mrs. Funmilola Arike Ogbuaya, a.K.a. Ariket; Funmilola Ogundipe, being investigated for Offences of conspiracy to traffic in narcotic drugs, drug trafficking, and money laundering.
