Honorable Justice C. J Aneke of the Federal High Court Ikoyi on Wednesday remanded a staff of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Ibidayin Godwin and four others Adetoye Taiwa, Taiwo Ososanya, Fatai Olawale Akera and Alhaji Yusuf Olayemi Bankole in prison custody pending the perfection of their bail conditions. They were arraigned by the NDLEA on a five count charge to which they pleaded not guilty.
In his application for bail, the defense counsel Barrister Benson Ndakara said that the accused are entitled to bail and assured that they will be available for trial. The Director of Prosecution, Barrister Joseph Sunday who was represented by Barrister Ichapa Oigoga however opposed the bail application.
In his riling, Justice Aneke granted the accused bail on the following conditions. Each of the accused persons was granted bail in the sum of five million naira and a surety in like sum. Surety must be a Public Servant not below grade level twelve in the federal or State Civil Service and must be resident within jurisdiction of the court or the surety must own a landed property and the certified true copy of the deed must be deposited in court.
The surety must produce evidence of tax payment via a three years tax clearance and the prosecution (NDLEA) is to verify the authenticity of all documents presented by the sureties within forty-eight hours.
The first count states that Taiwo Adetoye, Fatai Olawale Akera and Ibidayin Godwin conspired among themselves and one Ossy a drug baron now at large to export 3kg of meth contrary to section 14b of the NDLEA Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation 2004.
Count 2 reads that Taiwo Adetoye, Taiwo Ososanya and Yusuf. Bankole conspired to deal in and sell 3kg of meth contrary to and punishable under section 14b of the NDLEA Act.
Count 3 reads that Taiwo Adetoye, Fatai Olawale Akera and Ibidayin Godwin exported 3kg of meth without lawful authority contrary to section 11b of the NDLEA Act.
Count 4 reads that Taiwo Adetoye, Fatai Olawale Akera and Yusuf Olayemi Bankole dealt in 3kg of methamphetamine contrary to section 11c of the NDLEA and
Count 5 reads that Yusuf Olayemi Bankole allowed his premises and office at the NAHCO Shed to be used to store a parcel knowing same to contain 3kg of meth contrary to and punishable under section 12 of the NDLEA Act.
The Honourable Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade has charged the prosecution to diligently prosecute the case. “I want this case diligently prosecuted. The Agency will continue to provide a level playing field for all. No stone must be left unturned in the quest for a drug-free society. We must bring every culprit to justice by turning our investigative search light in all directions” Giade stated.
Ofoyeju Mitchell
Head, Public Affairs
