Judges’ transfer stalls drug trafficking trial

The transfer of Justice Abimbola Awogboro of the Federal High Court, Lagos, on Thursday stalled the trial of three persons charged with the alleged export of restricted narcotics.

The defendants are – Joyce Uzoamaka, Onyeka Ifeanyi and Roseline Uloma.

They are standing trial on a two-count charge of conspiracy and illegal export of banned narcotics.

The defendants were first arraigned in 2018 before Justice Saliu Saidu and trial had commenced when the judge retired from the bench.

The case was assigned to Justice Awogboro.

The trial commenced again when the judge was transferred out of the Lagos division.

The case was again reassigned to Justice M. Kakaki.

When the case was called on Thursday, the prosecutor, Mr. Abu Ibrahim, informed the court of the status of the case so far.

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He added that it would be appropriate to await a fiat from the Chief Judge to enable Justice Awogboro to conclude the case.

In response, the defence counsel, Mrs. Kate Igbo, told the court that one of her colleagues who was absent in today’s proceeding, had informed her that he already applied for a fiat.

Justice Kakaki adjourned the case till December 3 for continuation of trial.

The prosecutors had earlier told the court that the defendants committed the offence on July 27, 2018, at the International Mail Processing Centre of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos.

They were alleged to have conspired with one Festus Okeke, said to be at large, to export 9.58 kg of Methamphetamine to the country.

The offence, according to the prosecution, contravened the provisions of section 11(b) of the NDLEA Act Cap N30, Law of the Federation, 2004.

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