Admin l Friday, July 15, 2022
IKOYI, Lagos, Nigeria – A Federal High Court, sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos has remanded in prison custody, one billionaire, Afam Ukatu Mallinson, who is linked to the N3 billion drug deal involving suspended Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Abba Kyari.
Justice Peter Lifu, remanded Ukatu alongside one of his co-conspirators, Sunday Ifeanyi Ibekwute, on alleged drug related offences.
The judge remanded the two defendants, sequel to their no guilty plea to the charges of conspiracy, trafficking in 322 kilograms of Tramadol, unlawful dealing and possession of the said banned drug brought against them by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Both Ukatu and Sunday were arraigned before the court on Friday for the above alleged offences, which the prosecutor, Mrs. Theresa Asuquo, said contravened Sections 14(b); 11 and 11(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federal on Nigcria (LFN) 2004
NDLEA in the charge marked FHC/L/159c/2021, alleged that Ukatu, Sunday and one Pius Enidom, who has jump bail, on May 4, 2021, conspired among themselves for trafficking and Unlawful possessing and dealing in 322 kilograms of Tramadol.
Upon their no guilty plea, their counsel, Mr. Emeka Opara (SAN) while moving their bail application, urged the court to admit them to bail in the most liberal terms.
Opara (SAN) while citing plethora of authorities and sections of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, stated that his clients are presumed innocent of the charges against them until contrary is proven.
He also told the court that the first defendant, Ukatu Mallinson, is an industrialist who is in partnership with the Nigerian Airforce, and with numerous workers. He stated that the second defendant, Sunday, is one of the first defendant’s employee.
He assured the court that his clients will not jump bail if granted. But the prosecutor, Mrs. Asuquo, urged the court to declined granting the application, on the ground that they are flight risk.
In urging the court to decline granting the bail application, the prosecutor asked the court to take a critical look on some paragraphs of the agency’s counter affidavit to the defendants’ bail application.
Justice Lifu, adjourned the matter till July 18, for ruling on the bail application and remanded the billionaire and the other defendant in the Ikoyi correctional centre. The judge also issued a bench warrant against Pius Enidom, who had failed to appear in court despite hearing notice.
Meanwhile, prior to the arraignment of the defendants, who have been in NDLEA’s custody since April 16, there was a heated arguments between the defence team and the prosecutor, over failure of NDLEA to produce the defendants in court as ordered by the presiding judge at the last hearing of the matter.
The development, made the judge, who frowned at the NDLEA’s disobedience to produce the defendants. He stood down the matter for a while and ordered the NDLEA to bring the defendants to court, for their plea to be taken.