A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has fixed October 6, for the trial of Mr. Ukatu Afamefuna Mallison, a billionaire/ industrialist and one of his worker, Sunday Ifeanyi Ibekwute, who were charged before the court on alleged conspiracy, illegal dealing, trading and possession of 322 kilograms of Tramadol, a banned narcotic substance.
Mallinson and his co-defendant, were linked to the suspended Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Abba Kyiari in an alleged N3 billion drug deal
The two defendants were charged before the court presided over by Justice Peter Lifu, alongside one Pius Enidom, who has absconded after he was granted bail on May 4, 2021.
The defendants were charged in a suit marked FHC/L/159c/2021, instituted against them by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA.
Justice Lifu, fixed October 6 for the commencement of the defendants’ trial after delivering ruling on their b bail application applications today.
Ruling on thier bail application today, Justice Lifu admitted Mallison and Ibekwute bail in the sum of N100 million with two sureties in the like sum.
One of the sureties, according to the judge, must be an industrialist, specifically, a member of member of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), who must be a landed property owner within the court jurisdiction. While the second surety must be a Grade Level 15 officer either in the federal or Lagos State government establishment.
The judge also ordered the defendants to deposit their international passport with the court’s Registrar and to file affidavit of dual citizenship if they have any.
The court also held that the defendants should be reporting to the prosecuting agency, NDLEA every 14 days till the determination of the charges against them. While also ordering that the court Registrars should verify the bail terms.
Meanwhile, counsel to the first defendant, Benson Ndakara, has assured the court that he will ensure the presence of his client, Pius Enidom, in court to face his trial.
Ndakara who told the court that he was disappointed with his client’s attitude, further told the court that he had sent his partner to Anambra State, to lay ambush against the runaway defendant.
The billionaire, Mallinson, and others were charged before the court by the NDLEA on a four-count charge of conspiracy, unlawful dealing, possession and trafficking on 322 kilograms of Tramadol.
They were alleged to have on May 4, 2021 at Ikeja, Lagos State.
The alleged offences, which the prosecutor, Mrs. Theresa Asuquo, said contravened Sections 14(b); 11 and 11(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federal on Nigeria (LFN) 2004.
The defendants have denied the offence and pleaded not guilty.
Following their not guilty plea, their lawyers led by Victor Opara, SAN filed their bail application and asked the court to admit them to bail in the most liberal terms.
