Justice Tijjani Ringim of the Federal High Court, in Lagos has placed a Post-No-Debit statue/Lien, on some accounts domiciled in three commercial banks belonging to two alleged drug dealers.
The alleged drug dealers are: Nnaemeka John Nwaozor and
Levi Onwubiko Nwogu, who are currently remanded in the NDLEA custody.
The accounts are domiciled in Ecobank Plc; Sterling Bank Plc and Access Bank Plc.
Justice Ringim temporarily blocked the accounts, following a motion exparte filed an argued by the lawyer to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mr. Umar Hussaini, in a suit numbered FHC/L/CS/569/2023.
Umar had told the court that the orders sought for, is to enable NDLEA conclude it’s investigation, and prosecution.
He asked the court for the following reliefs: “an order of the Court directing the placing of lien/post no debit status on the following / account numbers: Ecobank Plc with account numbers: 2951023182 to belonging to the fourth respondent (Nnaemeka John Nwaozor) presently under the NDLEA custody, for the period of 90 days pending the conclusion of investigations in the matter.
“An order of the court directing the placing of lien/post no debit status on the following account numbers: Sterling Bank Plc with account numbers: 0011665893 belonging to the fourth respondent (Nnaemeka John Nwaozor), presently under the NDLEA custody, for the period of 90 days pending the conclusion of investigations in the matter
“An order of the court directing the placing of lien/post no debit status on the following account numbers: Access Bank Plc with account numbers: 0049630392 belonging to the fifth respondent (Levi Onwubiko Nwogu), presently under the NDLEA custody, for the period of 90 days pending the conclusion of investigations in the matter.
“A order of this Honourable Court directing Ecobank Plc; Sterling Bank Plc and Access Bank Plc, to allow the NDLEA inspects and make Certified True Copies (CTC) of account opening packages, statements of accounts and any relevant documents in their custody in compliance with section 84 of the Evidence Act 2011, for purposes of investigation with such cooperation afforded them as required by the said law.”
Justice Ringim after hearing the counsel submission ruled and pronounced as follows: “upon reading through the Affidavit in Support of Motion Exparte with the Exhibits attached therein, deposed to by Nnanna Alamezie. And after hearing the submissions of Umar Hussaini, Esq, Learned Counsel for the Claimant/Applicant, who moved in terms of the Motion paper. And the court after careful consideration of the application and submissions of Counsel.
“It is hereby ordered as follows: “that an Order of this Honourable Court is hereby granted to the Applicant directing the PLACING OF LIEN/POST NO DEBIT STATUS on the following account numbers: ECOBANK PLC with account numbers: 2951023182 belonging to the 4th respondent presently under the custody of the Applicant for the period of 90 days pending the conclusion of investigations in the matter.
“That an order of this honourable court is hereby granted to the applicant directing the PLACING OF LIEN/POST NO DEBIT STATUS on the following account numbers: Sterling Bank Plc with account numbers: 0011665893 belonging to the fourth respondent presently under the custody of the Applicant for the period of 90 days pending the conclusion of investigations in the matter.
“That an order of this honourable court is hereby granted to the applicant directing the Placing Of Lien/post No Debit Status on the following account numbers: Access Bank Plc with account’s numbers: 0049630392 belonging to the 5th Respondent presently under the custody of the Applicant for the period of 90 days pending the conclusion of investigations in the matter.
“That an order of this honourable court is hereby granted to the applicant directing the 1st, 2nd and 3rd respondents to allow the applicant inspects and make Certified True Copies of account opening packages, statements of accounts and any relevant documents in their custody in compliance with section 84 of the Evidence Act, 2011, for purposes of investigation with such cooperation afforded them as required by the said law.
“That this matter shall be remitted to the Admin. judge for assignment to any of the Regular Court.”
It will be recall that Justice Abimbola Awogboro of the same division of the court, had on March 30, 2023, remanded the suspected drug dealers in the NDLEA custody, till the conclusion of investigation of alleged conspiracy, unlawful possession of 1.155 kilograms of Cocaine and dealing on the same drug.
Justice Awogboro remand order was sequel to motion exparte filed by Umar Hussaini but argued by Paul Awogbuyi.
In urging the court to granting the Exparte application, NDLEA lawyer had told the court that the orders sought for was pursuant to Sections 293(1) and 2 of the ACJA 2015, Section 42 of the Constitution Of The Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, Section 26 (1)(2) and 41 of the NDLEA Act, Cap N30 Laws Of The Federation Of Nigeria 2004,and Under the court’s inherent jurisdiction.
In further urging the court to grant the motion exparte, NDLEA lawyer also moved an affidavit deposed to by one of its operatives, Nnanna Alamezie.
In the affidavit, Nnanna stated that he was informed by Azeez Lawal Abiodun and Akingbade Victor, the officers who participated in the raid operation on March 26, 2023, when the two suspects were arrested in possession of the of 1.155 kilograms of Cocaine a drug similar to Heroin and LSD, while conspiring and dealing to distributes same to their associates in some part of this country at 11/13 Onayade Street, Jibowu, Spicery Society Hotel Yaba, Lagos, Lagos state on Friday, March 24, 2023 at about 2000hours.
He stated that the first suspect, Nnaemeka John Nwaozor, is the drug kingpin and the second suspect, Levi Onwubiko Nwogu, is the link man between the first suspect and their entire associates in drug trafficking network within and outside Nigeria. Adding that he was further informed by Umar Hussaini Esq, the counsel to the NDLEA on 26, 2023, that it is necessary and expedient to seek and obtain the reliefs sought on the face of the motion paper for the justice of this matter. And that this court has the powers under the law to make the orders sought on the motion paper.
Justice Awogboro after hearing the NDLEA lawyer, ordered that the two drug dealers, be remanded in the custody of the NDLEA till the conclusion of the investigation.
The judge further adjourned the matter till April 17, for report of investigation
