Obi Conrad, Nigerian From South Africa Who Imported Heroin Into Nigeria Remanded In Prison Custody

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Obi Conrad, Nigerian From South Africa Who Imported Heroin Into Nigeria Remanded In Prison Custody

A Nigerian from South Africa arrested in October for importing heroin illegally into Nigeria has been remanded in prison.

Obi Conrad has been arraigned by the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency before the Federal High Court in Lagos for allegedly importing 5.340 kilograms of heroin into Nigeria.

The 48-year-old Conrad was arraigned before Justice Saliu Saidu on two counts of illegal importation of drug and aiding and abetting.

According to the NDLEA, Conrad was arrested on October 19, 2018, during the screening of South African Airways passengers from Johannesburg at the ‘E’ Arrival Hall of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, when 5.340 kilograms of the banned substance, which he allegedly concealed in two travel bags, were found in his possession.

The agency also alleged that Conrad aided one Emeka, who is said to be at large, to import the substance into the country.

The offences, according to the prosecutor, Mr Jonathan Ogwubor, are contrary to and punishable under sections 11(a) and 14(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N 30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 (as amended).

The charges against the defendant read, “That you, Obi Conrad, on or about October 19, 2018, around 11.35pm, during the inward clearance of South African Airways passengers from Johannesburg, at the ‘E’ Arrival Hall of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, without lawful authority, did import 5.340 kilograms of heroin, concealed inside three cartons found in your two travel bags, thereby committing an offences contrary to and punishable under Section 11 (a) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N 30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 (as amended).

“That you, Obi Conrad, on or about October 19, 2018, at about 11.35pm, during the inward clearance of South African Airways passengers from Johannesburg at the ‘E’ Arrival Hall of Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, without lawful authority, aided one Emeka (now at large) to import 5.340 kilograms of heroin, concealed inside three cartons found in your two travel bags, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 14 (b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N 30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 (as amended).

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the offences.

Following his plea, the prosecutor asked the court for a trial date and urged it to remand the defendant in prison custody pending the conclusion of the trial.

Responding, the defendant’s lawyer, Chief Benson Ndakara, informed the court that he had filed a motion for bail and same had been served on the prosecution.

However, Ogwubor said he had filed a counter-affidavit to the bail application and urged the court to dismiss the defendant’s motion for bail.

Ruling on the bail application, Justice Saidu admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N10m with two sureties.

He added that one of the sureties must be a blood relation of the defendant and must have landed property within Lagos, while the second surety must be a grade level 14 officer in the employment of the Federal Government or Lagos State Government.

He ordered that the defendant should remain in prison custody until the fulfilment of the bail conditions.

The judge also ordered that the verification of the bail terms must be done by the prosecution and the court’s registrar.

He adjourned the case till February 12, 2019, for the commencement of trial.

[NAN]