A senior immigration officer named Gbenga Akomolafe was charged by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency on Monday in the Federal High Court of Lagos for allegedly trafficking eight kilos of methamphetamine and seven and sixty kilograms of Cannabis Sativa, popularly known as marijuana.
Accomolafe, who is employed at the Murtala Muhammad International Airport in Ikeja, Lagos, was arrested with Nwadozie Amaechi, Nwosu Cyril, and Babatunde Olufemi, who is purportedly a staff member of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria.
Judge Daniel Osiagor arraigned the defendants, who are accused of nine offenses pertaining to conspiracy, illegal possession, importation, and trading in prohibited narcotics.
The defendants, who are reportedly members of a heavy drug syndicate, were apprehended on May 21, 2024, while attempting to transport the illegal narcotics out of the Murtala Muhammad International Airport, according to the prosecution’s witness, Abu Ibrahim, representing the NDLEA.
Ibrahim informed the court that the defendants planned to carry out the claimed offenses in conjunction with the South African couple Sunday Nwadozie and Echezona Nwosu.
Akomolafe faces six counts of conspiracy, illegal import, illegal possession, and trafficking in prohibited substances, according to the prosecution.
Olufemi, who is purported to be an employee of FAAN, Nnadozie, and Nwosu were accused on three counts each of conspiracy, illegal drug importation, and drug possession.
Sections 14 (b), 21 (2)(d), 20 (1)(c), 11 (b), and 20 (2)(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 were violated, according to the prosecutor.
Nevertheless, the immigration officer denied committing the offenses and entered a not guilty plea to all counts, while the other three gang members entered guilty pleas to the allegations brought against them.
Benson Ndakara, the immigration officer’s attorney, begged the court to grant him the most lenient bail conditions after the officer entered a not guilty plea.
As a result, N10 million in bail was granted to Akomolafe by Judge Osiagor, along with an equal amount for one surety.
Additionally, the judgment mandated that the surety work for Lagos State or the Federal Government as a Civil Servant of an Assistant Director cadre.
Based on their guilty pleas, Osiagor found the three men—Babatunde, Nnadozie, and Nwosu—guilty and sentenced them to four years for each count. Nonetheless, the three defendants were mandated to pay a N2 million fine for each count.
The judge further mandated that the choice for a fine and a term to run concurrently. The trial of the case was postponed until November 7, 2024.
