Ladipo Sanusi/
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), on Wednesday, arraigned two Brazilians, Lima Pereira Diego and Dias DOS Santos Marcia Cristina, at a Federal High Court, Lagos, for alleged importation of 23.895 kilograms of cocaine.
The prosecutor, Mr. Abu Ibrahim, told the court the pair were arrested at the arrival hall of Murtala Muhammad International Airport, Lagos, on April 18 during the clearance of passengers of an Emirates Airlines flight from Brazil.
NDLEA, in the amended charge marked FHC/L/138c/2017, alledged that the two conspired with one Benson Abiodun and others, now at large, to import the banned drug to the country.
The first defendant, Lima Pereira Erick Diego, was alleged to have imported 14.495 kilograms of cocaine, while the second defendant, Dias Dos Santos Marcia Cristina, was accused of importing 9.4 kilograms of the same substance.
The offences, according to the prosecutor, are contrary to and punishable under sections 14(b), 11(a) of the NDLEA Act Cap N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
After the charges were read and interpreted by an interpreter provided by the Brazilian embassy, the two defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge of conspiracy. But the first defendant pleaded guilty to charge of importing the drug, while the second defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge.
After their pleas were taken, the NDLEA prosecutor urged the court to remand them in prison custody pending trial.
But the defendants’ lawyers, Mr. O. G. Oyeleke (SAN), and Niyi Onifade, informed the court that they doubted the competence of the interpreter, despite the fact that he was provided by the diplomatic service.
The lawyers also informed the court they were yet to be furnished with the Proof-of-Evidence of the matter. They also said they were only briefed about the matter on Tuesday evening.
They urged the court to let the defence provide an interpreter, whose competence they will not doubt.
They also urged the court to allow their clients to be remanded in the custody of the NDLEA, pending the hearing of the bail applications.
But the NDLEA’s prosecutor objected to the request by the defendants that the agency should provide an interpreter for the trial. He urged the court to compel the Deputy Chief Registrar to provide the interpreter.
Ruling on the submissions of the parties, Justice Mojisola Olatoregun ruled that the defendants should produce an interpreter of their choice at the next adjourned date.
She also ordered that the interpreter provided by the defendants’ embassy must be present when the charge will be reread to the defendants and their plea retaking.
She adjourned the matter till May 15 and 16, 2017 for trial and ordered that the accused persons be remanded in prison custody.
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