A former Vice Chairman of Lagos Island East Local Council Development Area, Lagos State, Mr. Kehinde Sakiru Ashekun, has appeared before a Federal High Court in Lagos, over unlawful export of 1.0 kilogrammes of Cocaine.
He was arraigned by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA before Justice Ayokunle Faji led court.
Arraigning the defendant, the prosecutor, Mr. Abu Ibrahim, told the court that he was arrested with the banned drug on May 7, 2021, during the outward clearance of passengers on Virgin Atlantic Airlines flight from Lagos to London, Heathrow at the Departure Hall of the Murtala Muhammed International Aiport, Ikeja, Lagos.
The prosecutor told the court that the offence committed by the defendant is contrary to and punishable under Section 11(b) of the said National Drug Law Enforcernent Agency Act Cap N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Upon reading of the charge to the defendant, he denied the allegation and pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Following the defendant’s not guilty plea, the prosecutor, asked for a trial date and requested for the defendant’s remand.
However, counsel to the defendant, Mr. Olasupo Sasore (SAN) informed the court that bail application had been filed and same has been served on the prosecution.
The submission which was not opposed by the prosecutor, who also informed the court that he, has filed a counter to the application.
Justice Faji, upon hearing submissions of parties on the bail application, ordered that the defendant be remanded in prison custody till July, 16, for ruling on the bail application and commencement of the defendant’s trial.
The charge against the former Council chairman reads: “That you Asekun Sakiru Kehinde, Male, Adult, on or about the 7th May 2021 during the outward clearance of passengers on Virgin Atlantic Airlines flight from Lagos to London, Heathrow at the Departure Hall of the Murtala Muhammed International Aiport, IkejaLagos without lawful authority exported 1.000 kilogramme of Cocaine, a Narcotc Drug and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 11(b) of the said National Drug Law Enforcernent Agency Act Cap N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004”.
