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Immigration Officer, Others Arraigned For Drug Trafficking

Officer Pleads not guilty

Published

Tuesday, July 23, 2024 at 03:11 PM

Written by Brenda Izu

Immigration Officer, Others Arraigned For Drug Trafficking

In a shocking turn of events, a senior immigration officer, Gbenga Akomolafe, was arraigned before the Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday for alleged drug trafficking.

The arraignment was handled by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA) who have been working to crack down on drug trafficking in the region.

Akomolafe, who is currently serving at the Murtala Muhammad International Airport, Ikeja Lagos, was accused of trafficking eight kilograms of Methamphetamine and 7.60 kilograms of Cannabis Sativa, also known as marijuana.

Akomolafe was arraigned alongside three other individuals: Babatunde Olufemi, a staff member of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Nwadozie Amaechi, and Nwosu Cyril.

The defendants were arraigned before Justice Daniel Osiagor and are facing nine counts bordering on conspiracy, unlawful possession, import and dealing in the prohibited substances.

The Prosecution counsel to the NDLEA, Abu Ibrahim, told the court that the defendants who are allegedly members of hard drug syndicate, were arrested on May 21, 2024, while attempting to smuggle the prohibited substances out of the Murtala Muhammad International Airport.

Ibrahim went ahead to say that the defendants conspired to commit the alleged offences alongside the duo of Sunday Nwadozie and Echezona Nwosu, who are based in South Africa.

According to the prosecutor Akomolafe was charged with six counts of conspiracy, unlawful import, unlawful possession, and trafficking in the banned substances.

The trio of Olufemi, said to be a staff member of FAAN, Nnadozie and Nwosu, were charged with three counts of conspiracy and unlawful importation and possession of the banned drugs.

Abu further said the ooffences committed contravened Sections 14 (b), 21 (2)(d), 20 (1)(c) 11(b) and 20 (2)(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

However, while the other three members of the gang pleaded guilty to the charges against them, the immigration officer denied committing the offences and pleaded not guilty to all the counts.

Meanwhile, Immigration Officer Gbenga Akomolafe pleaded not guilty to the charges against him. His lawyer, Benson Ndakara, requested that the court grant Akomolafe bail on liberal terms.

Justice Daniel Osiagor granted the request, setting bail at N10 million with one surety of the same amount. Adding that the surety must be a Civil Servant of at least Assistant Director level, employed by either the Lagos State or Federal Government.

In contrast, the trio of Babatunde Olufemi, Nwadozie Amaechi, and Nwosu Cyril pleaded guilty to the charges.

Justice Osiagor sentenced each of them to four years imprisonment on each count. However, the judge offered an option of a N2 million fine on each count. The sentence and fine option will run concurrently.

The court adjourned the case until November 7, 2024, for continuation of trial. Akomolafe's bail conditions and the sentencing of the trio bring a significant development in the case, as the prosecution continues to build its case against the defendants.

Edited By: Anibaba

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Immigration Officer, Others Arraigned For Drug Trafficking

In a shocking turn of events, a senior immigration officer, Gbenga Akomolafe, was arraigned before the Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday for alleged drug trafficking.

The arraignment was handled by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA) who have been working to crack down on drug trafficking in the region.

Akomolafe, who is currently serving at the Murtala Muhammad International Airport, Ikeja Lagos, was accused of trafficking eight kilograms of Methamphetamine and 7.60 kilograms of Cannabis Sativa, also known as marijuana.

Akomolafe was arraigned alongside three other individuals: Babatunde Olufemi, a staff member of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Nwadozie Amaechi, and Nwosu Cyril.

The defendants were arraigned before Justice Daniel Osiagor and are facing nine counts bordering on conspiracy, unlawful possession, import and dealing in the prohibited substances.

The Prosecution counsel to the NDLEA, Abu Ibrahim, told the court that the defendants who are allegedly members of hard drug syndicate, were arrested on May 21, 2024, while attempting to smuggle the prohibited substances out of the Murtala Muhammad International Airport.

Ibrahim went ahead to say that the defendants conspired to commit the alleged offences alongside the duo of Sunday Nwadozie and Echezona Nwosu, who are based in South Africa.

According to the prosecutor Akomolafe was charged with six counts of conspiracy, unlawful import, unlawful possession, and trafficking in the banned substances.

The trio of Olufemi, said to be a staff member of FAAN, Nnadozie and Nwosu, were charged with three counts of conspiracy and unlawful importation and possession of the banned drugs.

Abu further said the ooffences committed contravened Sections 14 (b), 21 (2)(d), 20 (1)(c) 11(b) and 20 (2)(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

However, while the other three members of the gang pleaded guilty to the charges against them, the immigration officer denied committing the offences and pleaded not guilty to all the counts.

Meanwhile, Immigration Officer Gbenga Akomolafe pleaded not guilty to the charges against him. His lawyer, Benson Ndakara, requested that the court grant Akomolafe bail on liberal terms.

Justice Daniel Osiagor granted the request, setting bail at N10 million with one surety of the same amount. Adding that the surety must be a Civil Servant of at least Assistant Director level, employed by either the Lagos State or Federal Government.

In contrast, the trio of Babatunde Olufemi, Nwadozie Amaechi, and Nwosu Cyril pleaded guilty to the charges.

Justice Osiagor sentenced each of them to four years imprisonment on each count. However, the judge offered an option of a N2 million fine on each count. The sentence and fine option will run concurrently.

The court adjourned the case until November 7, 2024, for continuation of trial. Akomolafe's bail conditions and the sentencing of the trio bring a significant development in the case, as the prosecution continues to build its case against the defendants.

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