Justice Dehinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court, Lagos yesterday adjourned till March 17th and 18th, 2025 trial of a Lagos based businessman Ahmadu Abubakar who is currently facing a two counts charge of conspiracy to traffick 164.50 kilogrammes of Cannabis Sativa and procuring one Ughenu Nnaife Francis to import Cannabis from Canada into Nigeria.
The new date was fixed when the matter came up before Justice Dipeolu yesterday.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, though it’s counsel, Mr Abu Ibrahim had filed a three count charge before the court alleging that Ahmadu Abubakar and Ughenu Nnaife Francis alongside one Black(now at large) conspired to traffic in 164.50 Kilogrammes of Cannabis Sativa from Canada into Nigeria.
The charge also alleged that Ahmadu Abubakar procured Ughenu Nnaife Francis being an incoming passenger on board KLM Flight from Canada to Nigeria on 30th May at the ‘E’ arrival Hall of the Muhammed International Airport,Ikeja Lagos without lawful Authority imported 164.50 Kilogrammes Heroin from Canada to Nigeria.
The offences alleged to have been committed by the two defendants are said to be contrary to and punishable under sections 14(b),21(2)(d) 11(b) 20(1)(a) and 20(2)(a) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria,2004.
When the the two defendants were arraigned on August 29, 2024, the second defendant Ughenu Nanaife Francis pleaded guilty and was summarily convicted accordingly while Ahmadu Abubakar maintained a not – guilty plea.
Consequently the trial of Abubakar was adjourned till February 20,2025
Meanwhile, when the matter came up yesterday, the trial of Ahmadu Abubakar was further adjourned till 17th and 18th March, 2025 due to the defence counsel, Denis Warri request on the prosecution for certain documents which he said would enable him to defend his client properly.
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The charge filed against the defendant by the NDLEA reads: That you 1.Ahmadu Abubakar adults,male,sometime in May 2024 with one Black (now at large) conspired to traffic in 164.50 Kilogrammes of Cannabis Sativa, a Narcotic Drug similar to Cocaine,LSD,Heroin from Canada to Nigeria 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 Act Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.
Count 2
That you Ahmadu Abubakar adult, male, sometime in May 2024 procured Ughenu Nnaife Francis to traffic 164.50kllograms of Cannabis Sativa, a Narcotic Drug similar to Cocaine,LSD, Heroin from Canada to Nigeria and you thereby committed an act which is an offence contrary to section 21(2)(d) and punishable under section 11(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
