Court Remands Lagos Pastor Over Drug Trafficking Charge

ByEditor

Oct 3, 2025 #Canadian Loud, #Drug Trafficking, #Prophet Adefolusho Aanu Osasele, #The Turn of Mercy Church

Femi Ashekun/

A Federal High Court in Lagos on Friday ordered the remand of Prophet Adefolusho Aanu Osasele, General Overseer of The Turn of Mercy Church, Okun Ajah, Lekki, for allegedly trafficking in 900 kilograms of “Ghana Loud,” a potent strain of cannabis sativa.

Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa gave the order after the cleric, also known as Abbas Ajakaiye, pleaded not guilty to a one-count charge filed against him by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

According to NDLEA prosecutor, Barrister M. I. Erondu, the clergyman was arrested on August 3, 2024, at Ajah, Lagos, for unlawfully dealing in the banned substance.

The prosecution stated that his actions contravened Section 11(c) of the NDLEA Act, Cap N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

The charge sheet partly reads, “That you, Adefolusho Aanu Osasele, alias Abbas Ajakaiye, on or about the 3rd of August 2024 at Ajah, Lagos State, without lawful authority, dealt in 900 kilograms of Ghana Loud, a narcotic drug similar to cocaine, heroin and LSD, and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 11(c) of the NDLEA Act.”

Following his plea of not guilty, the prosecutor requested a trial date and urged the court to remand the defendant in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).

However, defence counsel, Mimido Nyiew, informed the court that she had filed a bail application, which had been served on the prosecution.

After hearing arguments, Justice Lewis-Allagoa granted Osasele bail in the sum of N50 million with one surety in like sum.

The surety must provide evidence of ownership of landed property within the court’s jurisdiction and swear to an affidavit of means.

The matter was adjourned until November 18, 2025, for trial, while the judge ordered that the defendant remain in NCoS custody until his bail conditions are met.