Justice Friday Ogazi of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, will rule on September 9, 2026 on the bail application filed by a Nigerian returnee from Brazil, Abugu Oliver Ikechukwu.
It would be recalled that the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) had prosecuted Ikechukwu for allegedly smuggling 6.1 kilograms of cocaine into Nigeria.
Ikechukwu was dragged before the court charged with a charge close to illegal importation of narcotics.
Addressing the court, the prosecution counsel, Abu Ibrahim, said the accused was intercepted on June 11, 2026 at Gate 2 of the Arrival Hall, Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja, Lagos.
READ ALSO: Oyo Assembly approves N210 billion supplementary budget to boost infrastructure and works
Ibrahim further informed the judge that the accused was arrested during the clearance of passengers on board an Ethiop Airlines flight from Brazil via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The NDLEA also intimated to the court that the 6.1kg of cocaine was concealed by soaking and dipping the illicit substance in towels and other clothing items to evade detection.
Ibrahim insisted that the offense is contrary to and punishable under Section 11 (a) of the National Drug Control Agency Act, Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
But Ikechukwu pleaded not guilty to the charge, prompting the prosecution to ask the court for a trial date and an order keeping the accused in a correctional facility pending trial.
Meanwhile, the accused’s lawyer, Chief Benson Ndakara, informed Judge Ogazi that he had made a bail application for his client which had already been notified to the prosecution.
But the court could not consider the bail application due to its tight schedule.
Accordingly, Justice Ogazi ordered the accused to be remanded in custody at the Nigerian Correctional Service, NCoS, facility until September 9, 2026, when his bail application will be heard.
The charge reads: “That you Abugu Oliver Ikechukwu, male, adult, Nigerian on or about June 11, 2026 at Gate 2 of the Arrival Hall of Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, during the onward clearance of passengers of the Ethiopian Airline flight from Brazil via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to Lagos, without lawful authority, imported 6.1 kilograms of cocaine, a narcotic. immersed/soaked in towels and other clothing and thereby committed an act which is a contrary offense and punishable under section 11 (a) of the National Drug Control Agency Cap N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.”
WATCH THE BEST VIDEOS FROM Newslodge TV