The arraignment of an Assistant General Manager with Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO), Mr Kafidipe Olajide (a. k. a Kafidipe Ahmed Olajide) and Obinna Henry for alleged importation of 145.10 kilograms of Tramadol 250mg, a Narcotic Analgesic was today stalled due to lack of counsel to represent the second defendant, Obinna.
When the matter came up for trial before Justice Ayotunde Faji today, the prosecutor, Mr Abu Ibrahim from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, told the court that the prosecutor has a two count charge pending before the court and urged the court to direct that the charge be read so that the defendants can take thier plea.
However, while a Seniour Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Mr Dada Awosika announced appearance for Kafidipe Olajide there was no legal representation for the second defendant
Consequent upon the absence of legal representation for the second defendant, the arraignment could not go on as scheduled.
To avoid a situation where the first defendant would be sent back to prison custody few weeks after he had just perfected his bail conditions in another drug matter, his counsel, Dada Awosika,SAN, begged the court to release the first defendant, Kafidipe Olajide to him, promising to produced him at the next trial date
Ruling on his application, Justice Faji while releasing Olajide to his counsel, Awosika,SAN, ordered that Olajide should deposit his international passport with the prosecution and must not travelled out of the jurisdiction until the next adjourned date ./////
Justice Faji ordered the second defendant to be remanded in prison custody and consequently adjourned the matter till the 13th of February, 2024.
The charge against the defendants reads:
That you Kafidipe Olajide a.k.a Kafidipe Ahmed Olajide being staff of Skyway Handling Company (SAHCO), NAHCO premises Ikeja-Lagos and other persons now at large on or about the 28″ November 2023 at SAHCO Import Shed conspired amongst yourself to import 145.10 kilograms of Tramadol 250mg, a Narcotic Analgesic using Airway Bill No. 074-62453392 and you thereby committed an act which is an offence contrary to and punishable under section 14 (b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Count II
That you Kafidipe Olajide a.k.a Kafidipe Ahmed Olajide being staff of Skyway Handling Company (SAHCO), NAHCO premises Ikeja-Lagos and other persons now at large on or about the 28 November 2023 at SAHCO Import Shed imported 145.10 kilograms of Tramadol 250mg, a Narcotic Analgesic using Airway Bill No. 074-62453392 and you thereby committed an act which is an offence contrary to and punishable under section 11 (b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
