Varsity Drop Out Charged With Unlawful Drugs Export

By Akin Kuponiyi

An undergraduate dropout of Anambra State University of Technology, Obiabumo Godfrey Obaemeka, alleged to have been trafficking in illicit drugs has been arraigned before a federal high court in Lagos, southwest Nigeria.

According to the criminal charge number FHC/L/213c/2012 preferred against the accused person by the NDLEA prosecuting counsel, Barrister John Gima, Obiabunmo Godfrey Obaemeka was arrested on 30 April, 2012 at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, for exporting 3.250 kilogrammes of methamphetamine.

The accused pleaded not guilty and his counsel in an application filed before the court, urged the court to grant  the accused person bail on the ground of ill-health and that the accused person is in need of medical attention. He also said the accused is ready to produce credible surety.

However, in a counter affidavit sworn to by NDLEA litigation officer, Mr. Abdulrauf Danjuma, and filed before the court by Mr. Gima, the deponent averred that the accused confessed to the commission of the offence and that the accused will jump bail if granted, more so when the accused mentioned one I.K. who resides in an undisclosed place as his accomplice and efforts are still going on to arrest the suspect.

Mr. Danjuma averred further that in recent times so many drug offenders who have been granted bail by the court have jumped bail. The accused has been charged for unlawful exportation of 3.250 kilogrammes of methamphetamine which carries a term of life imprisonment on conviction. There is no medical report to support the averment of sickness in his application for bail and the accused never complained of any sickness in custody.

In addition, the accused has no reliable sureties to take him on bail as it is a common practice for the accused for bail in drug cases to present fake sureties to take them on bail, their so call reliable sureties usually varnish into thin air once the accused jumps bail.

In view of these scenario, the agency urged the court, in the interest of justice, to refuse the application for bail and order for accelerated hearing of the case.

The accused was granted bail with two sureties who must own landed property in Ikoyi, the sureties must also swear to affidavit of means.

The matter has been adjourned till November 6 this year.