Ladipo Sanusi/
The National Drugs Laws Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) today arraigned an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Bola Adigun, before a Federal High Court, in Lagos, on charges bordering on conspiracy, drug dealings and willfully obstructing security agents from carrying out their official duty.
The anti-narcotic agency in a charge marked: FHC/L/192c/17, alleged that the police officer, currently attached to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and one Voke David, now at large, of Jakande Estate, Amuwo Odofin, Mile 2, Lagos, had on May 25, 2017, at about 1 am, along Badagry-Lagos Expressway, at Agemowo junction, conspired among themselves to transport 49 large bags containing compressed vegetable substance suspected to be Cannabis Sativa, popularly called Marijuana, weighing 2.338 kilograms, in a Volkswagen LT bus marked FKJ 937 XS.
The ASP also allegedly unlawfully possessed the said banned weed.
NDLEA claimed that the accused, while armed with a Jericho Pistol numbered BDA 380425pm 56369, caliber 9.85 CAT 1661 loaded with 10 rounds of ammunition, willfully obstructed the official of NDLEA from exercising the powers conferred on them by the NDLEA Act.
The offences according to the NDLEA prosecutor, Mr. Aliyu Abubakar, are contrary to and punishable under sections 14(c), 19 and 49(B) of National Drugs Laws Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to all the counts of the charge.
Upon the plea of the accused, the presiding judge, Justice Cecilia Mojisola Olatoregun, admitted him to the bail of N10million with three sureties.
Justice Olatoregun also ordered that each of the sureties must be a landed property owner, with evidence of three years tax payment, and have their addresses and means of livelihood verified.
The judge, however, ordered that the accused be remanded in Prison’s custody pending the perfection of the bail conditions.
The matter was adjourned till June 27, for commencement of trial.