The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, on Tuesday arraigned five members of a cocaine trafficking cartel that were arrested in connection with the haul of over two tons of Cocaine found in Solebo area of Ikorodu, Lagos sometimes in September this year
The defendants who were arraigned before Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Lagos over the largest haul of cocaine in Nigeria history are: Soji Jubril Oke, Wale Akinade, Emmanuel Arinze Chukwu, Kelvin Christopher Smith and Oguntolure Sunday.
The five defendants, who includes four Nigerians and a Jamaican were alleged to have between the month of July 18th and 19th days of September 2022 at Number 6, Olukonla Crescent, Solebo Estate , Ikorodu, Lagos without lawful authority conspired to form and operate a Drug Trafficking Organisation (DTO) by importing 2,139.55 kilogramms of Cocaine , a substance similar to
When the matter came up for trial on Tuesday, the prosecuting counsel from the NDLEA, Mr Umar Hussaini told Justice Peter Lifu that he has a six count charge pending before the court and prayed that charge should be read to the defendants so that they can take thier plea.
Following the reading of the charge and the defendants’ not guilty plea to same, Hussaini asked for a trial date and the remand of the defendants in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service.
However, counsel to the five defendants, Chief Benson Ndakara representing the first to fourth defendant and Chief Mrs Lylian Omotunde representing the fifth defendant , told the trial judge that they both have bail applications filed on behalf of the defendants and that same have been served on the prosecutor.
Both Ndakara and Omotunde therefore urged the court to allow them move their respective applications.
After moving the defendants’ bail applications and the reply counter affidavit to same by the prosecutor, Justice Peter Lifu adjourned ruling on the bail application till January 17,2023.
Meanwhile, the prosecutor Umar Hussaini also moved an Exparte application for the interim forfeiture of some money found in the bank accounts of two of the defendants and the court graciously granted the application.
The money forfeited to the Federal Government in the interim, includes the sum of N12, 055,295.20 in account numbers 6322382470 and 6053775739 both in Fidelity Bank plc belonging to Abdulwasiu Akinade and another sum of N55, 099,509.50 in account number 3023730668 domiciled with First Bank Limited belonging to Emmanuel Arinze Chukwu.
Meanwhile, the six count charge against the defendants reads,
Count 1
That you SOJI JUBRIL OKE, Adult, male, Nigerian Citizen, WASIU AKINADE, Adult, Male, Nigerian Citizen, EMMANUEL ARINZE CHUKWU, Adult, Mate, Nigerian Citizen, KELVIN CHRISTOPHER SMITH, Adult, Mate, JAMAICAN NATIONAL and OGUNTOLURE SUNDAY, Adult, Male Nigerian citizen and others now at large between the month of July and 18° & 19” days of September 2022 at Number 6, Olukonia Crescent, Solebo Estate, ikorodu, Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, without Lawful Authorrty, Conspired to form and Operate a Drug Trafficking Organisation (DTO) to wit: imports 2,139.55 kilograms of COCAINE, a Substance Similar to Heroin and LSD and You thereby committed 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 2004 (As amended).
COUNT 2 .
That you SOji JUBRIL OKE, Adult, male, Nigenen Citizen, WASTU Adult Male, Nigerian Citizen, EMMANUEL ARINZE CHUKWU Adem Nigerian Citizen, KELVIN CHRISTOPHER SMITH, Adult, Male, SAPD, NATIGNAL end OGUNTOLURE SUNDAY, Adult, Mate Nigertan citizen about 18″ & 19’ days of September 2022 at about 2000hours, Z0SZhours ang OZ35Shours et Number 6, Olukonia Crescent, Solebo Estate,ikorotdu,Lagoswithin the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, without Lawful Authorigy, Conspired to Possessed 2,139.55 kilograms (More than Two (2) Tones) Cocaine, a substance similar to Heroin and LSD and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 14 (b) of the Nationa Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act CAP N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 (As amended).
COUNT 3
That you SOJI JUBRIL OKE, Adult, male, Nigerian citizen, WASIU AKINADE, Adult, Male, Nigerian citizen, EMMANUEL ARINZE CHUKWU, Adult, Male, Nigecian citizen, and others now at large between the month of July and 18” & 19” days of September 2022 at abaut 2000hours and 2052hours, at Number 6, Olukonta Crescent, Solebo Estate,Ikorodu,Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, without lawful authority, engaged in the organization, management and financing of a Drug Trafficking Organisation (DTO) by Importation of 2,239.55 kilograms (More than Two (2) Tons) of Cocaine, a substance similar to Heroin and LSD and yau thereby committed an offence contrary to section 20 (1) (g} and punishable under section 20 (2) (b} of the Natronat Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act CAP N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 (As amended).
COUNT 4
That you EMMANUEL ARINZE CHUKWU, Adult, Male, Nigerian citizen, on or about 18″ day of September 2022 at Number 5, Eric Mmnuel street Surulere, Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, without Lawful authority, found and arrested in possession of 2.3 kilograms of Cocaine, a substance similar to Heroin and LSD and You thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 19 of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act CAP N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 (As amended).
COUNT 5
That you SOJ! JUBRIL OKE, Adult, Male, Nigerian citizen, on or about 18″ day of September 2022 and others at large between the month of July and 18″ & 19″ days of September 2022 at number 6, Olukonla Crescent, Solebo Estate, Ikorodu Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this honorable court , without lawful authority, imported 2,139.55 kilogramms ( more than two tons ) of Cocaine , a substance similar to Heroin and and LSD and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 11 (a) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act CAP N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 ( As amended).
Count 6
That you Soji Jubril Oke, male, adult , Nigerian citizen, on or about 18th day of September 2022 at about 2000hours at number 6,Olukonla Crescent , Solebo Estate , Ikorodu, Lagos within the jurisdiction of this honorable court , without lawful authority , found and arrested in possession of 2,139.44 kilogramms ( more than two tons of Cocaine , a substance similar to Heroin, LSD and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 19 of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency CAP N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 ( As amended ).
