By Lukman Olabiyi
Five alleged drug barons arrested in Ikorodu area of Lagos by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have been granted bail by the Federal High Court, Lagos.
Those granted bail by Justice Peter Lifu, are: Soji Jubril Oke, Wasiu Akinade,Emmanuel Arinze Chukwu,Oguntolure Sunday, and a Jamaican, Kelvin Christopher Smith.
The court order was sequel to the bail applications canvassed by a constitutional lawyer, Chief Benson Ndakara, representing four of the accused persons, and Chief Liliana Omotunde.
The accused, who were docked before the court on November 30, 2022, are facing a six- counts-charge bordering on conspiracy, unlawful importation of 2,139.55 kilograms of cocaine, engaging in the organisation, management,and financing of a drug trafficking organisation and unlawful possession of drugs.
Ruling on the bail applications, the trial judge, granted bail to the accused persons in the sum of N500 million to each person, and two sureties in the like sum, and one of the surety must be civil servant on not less than grade level 15, while the second surety should be a property owner within the courts jurisdiction. While arguing the bail applications, Chief Ndakara, anchored his argument on ill health, assuring the court that the defendants would not jump bail.
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He also relied on the medical report brought and tendered by the prison officials to show that the first and second defendants were sick and require urgent medical attention.
The defendants had earlier pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Shortly after the ruling, the prosecution informed the the court about its intention to amend the charge against the accused and the court granted it .
In the charge, the prosecution had alleged among others, that the accused persons were arrested with the drugs between the month of July and September 18, and 19 ,2022 at 6, Olukonla Crescent, Solebo Estate Ikorodu, Lagos.