Cocaine trial: Court rejects bid to free 3 accused

JUSTICE Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, at the weekend rejected a no case submission made by the defence counsel in the ongoing cocaine trial, on behalf of the third, fourth and fifth accused in the suit.

Justice Okon, while discarding the application for lacking merit, ordered the defence to open its case today.

According to the judge, “I have thoroughly and painstakingly examined the issues.

“A no case submission lacks merit and is hereby overruled.”

Meanwhile, chairman and Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Alhaji Ahmadu Giade, has renewed its pledge for diligent prosecution of drug barons in the country.

The helmsman of the anti-drug agency made the declaration, while reacting to a ruling on the application by the defence counsel in the ongoing 450.400kg cocaine trial.

Impressed by the ruling, Giade said it had sent the right signal to drug trafficking syndicates that the due process of the law must be followed in the dispensation of justice, adding that “this is commendable. The message is that every accused must justify their plea.”

Also describing the ruling as satisfactory, NDLEA director of prosecution and legal services, Mr Femi Oloruntoba, who is the chief prosecuting counsel, said that the prosecution was adequately prepared as trial continued.

“The ruling is satisfactory. Our prayer was upheld and we are ready for trial as the defence opens its case,” Oloruntoba said.

The NDLEA had argued that the no case submission be rejected and accused be allowed to open their defence.

The prosecution in the trial closed its case in December 2010, after producing 15 witnesses that gave evidence in support of the charges brought against the five accused.

Meanwhile, in a related development, the NDLEA, on Friday, arraigned three men on a two-count charge, in connection with 110kg of cocaine intercepted also at the Tin Can Island port Lagos.

The accused, who were arraigned before Justice M.B. Idris, pleaded not guilty to the charge and were ordered by the judge to be remanded in prison custody.

Following the objection of their bail application, the case was adjourned till tomorrow.