The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), on Monday, arraigned a businessman, Charles Momoh, before the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court over the alleged importation of a banned substance.

The defendant was arraigned before Justice Ayokunle Faji on a one-count charge bordering on the importation of 51.25 kg of Cannabis sativa, a.k.a. marijuana.

The prosecutor, A.N. Okon, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on September 11 at the Tincan Island Port in Apapa, Lagos.

Mr Okon alleged that the defendant imported 51.25 kg of the substance and concealed it in two cars—a 2010 model of Toyota Hyundai Sonata and a 2015 model of Toyota Hyundai Aset.

According to the prosecution, the offence contravenes section 11(b) of the NDLEA Act of 2004.

Mr Okon urged the court to remand the defendant in a custodial centre pending the commencement of trial.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty.

Defence counsel Sylvester Ijie urged the court to grant his client bail on liberal terms, saying he was not a flight risk.

Mr Faji ordered the defendant to be remanded and adjourned the case until November 11 for a ruling on the defendant’s bail application. 

(NAN)