NDLEA Begins Trial Of Billionaire Over 322kg Tramadol Possession

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has begun the trial of a billionaire businessman and two others over alleged possession of 322 kilogrammes of Tramadol.

ThisDay reported that Chief Ukatu Afamefuna Mallinson, Pius Enidom and Sunday Ifeanyi Ibekwute were arraigned before the Federal High Court in Lagos on charges of conspiracy, unlawful possession and trafficking of the drug.

The charge, numbered FHC/L/159C/2021, alleged that the offence was committed on May 4, 2021 in Ikeja, Lagos. The defendants were first arraigned in 2022 and pleaded not guilty.

Justice Yellim Bogoro, who took over the case from Justice Peter Lifu following his transfer to Abuja, presided over the hearing. The prosecution, led by Adekunle Adebajo, called its first witness, NDLEA operative Dogo Hyilda Moses.

The defence team is led by B.C. Igwilo SAN. The court adjourned the case to November 5 for continuation of trial.

Sources: ThisDay