Justice Abimbola Awogboro of a Lagos Federal High Court, today, ordered interim forfeiture of a vessel, MV Chayaneenre, to the Federal Government of Nigeria, for allegedly been used to smuggle 32.9 kilograms of Cocaine into the country.
Justice Awogboro also ordered National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to detain the Master of the vessel, Mr. Tanahan Krilerk and 28, comprising of 21 Thailand Nationals and seven Nigerians, who are the vessel’s crew members.
The vessel’s crew members ordered to be detained by the court alongside the Master of the vessel Mr. Tanahan Krilerk are: Hansoongnern Mr. Boonlert; Paopinta Mr. Worrapat; Somboonying Mr. Weerapart; Kantaprom Mr. Marut; Amsri Mr. Ukrit; Booncharoen Mr. Jakkarn; Pala Mr. Theerayut; Autchapong Mr. Wuttipon; Mauhuittanpradit Mr. Suwanchai; Langkapin Mr. Bularit; Petto Mr. Uthen; Truwan Mr. Somiit; Chittrong Mr. Noppon; Jaisuk Mr. Panudet; Putitiek Mr. Thamimarong; Thaworn Mr. Amnaet; Thanatlueal Mr. Worakan; Seedawong Mr. Sirisak; Timiasan Mr. Prayong Nonthing; Thammarat; Chaiyarin Mr Praditsak, all Thailand Nationals.
Others include; Kayode Buletiri; Adekunle Osamo; Ogunfadeke Gbenga; Cosmos Anah; Ekundayo Nurudeen; Ilesanmi Ayo and Stephen Osabeye, who are Nigerians.
Justice Awogboro made the order while granting an Exparte motion for the orders granted by the NDLEA’s Director of Legal Services, Mr J. N. Sunday, who led Mr. Fingere Owen Dinneys, a Deputy Director of Legal Services.
Justice Awogboro held that the order will subsist till November 25, 2021, when the anti-narcotic agency, will give the court it’s report of Investigation of the matter.
In urging the court to make the order in the suit marked FHC/L/CS/1518/2021, the NDLEA’s Director of Legal Services, Mr. Sunday, told the court that The application was pursuant to Sections 3(1)(a) (c), 32(c), 33, 34, 36 and 41(b)(iii) of the NDLEA Act Cap N30 LFN 2004; And Sections 44(2)(k), 35(1)(c) and 6(6)(b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and under Court’s inherent jurisdisction.
He also told the court that the application is supported with an eight paragraph affidavit deposed to by one Olayinka Kareem, and a written address.
The NDLEA’s Director of Legal Services, Mr. Sunday told the court that the Vessel, MV Chayaneenre, which was used used as an instrumentality to unlawfully transport and import 32.9 kilogrammes of cocaine into Nigeria on the 13th October, 2021 at Apapa Port, Lagos,while bringing in sugar from Brazil into Nigeria.
He also told the court that the NDLEA had seized the said 32.9 kilogrammes of cocaine but still investigating the case of an unlawful importation and transporting of 32.9 Kilograms of Cocaine to Nigeria in conjunction with Interpol and other foreign collaborators.
He also told the court that the order sought for is necessary to validate the custody of the Vessel MV Chayaneenre, its Master, Mr. Tanahan Krilerk and the 28 other Crew members, pending investigation and or filing of criminal charge and prosecution.
Justice Awogboro has adjourned the matter till November 25, for the report of Investigation.
