Justice Abimbola Awogboro of a Lagos Federal High Court, today, granted an ordered permitting the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to detain in its custody, two suspected drug dealers, who were recently arrested by the agency, till the conclusion of investigation.
The two suspects are; Nnaemeka John Nwaozor and Levi Onwubiko Nwogu.
Justice Awogboro permitted the anti- narcotic, to remand the two suspects in its custody, while granting an Exparte application, filed by Barrister Umar Hussain, but moved by Paul Awogbuyi.
In urging the court to granting the Exparte application, NDLEA lawyer told the court that the application was pursuant to Sections 293(1) and 2of the Administration Of Criminal Justice Act 2015, Section 42 of the Constitution Of The Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, Section 26 (1)(2) and 41 Of The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, Cap N30 Laws Of The Federation Of Nigeria 2004,and Under the court’s Inherent Jurisdiction.
In further urging the court the motion Exparte, NDLEA lawyer moved an affidavit deposed to by one of its operatives, Nnanna Alamezie.
In the affidavit, Nnanna told the court that his agency is mandated by law to investigate, seize and prosecute offences in relation to Cocaine, Heroin, Methamphetamine, Cannabis sativa and other narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
He 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 number 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.
The deponent told the court that it will be in the interest of justice to grant this Exparte motion.
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.
