Court remands billionaire linked to Kyari’s N3bn drug deal

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has remanded a Nigerian billionaire, Ukatu Mallinson, who was linked to the suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari’s alleged N3 billion hard drug in the facility of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).

The presiding judge, Justice Peter Lifu, ordered the remand of Mallinson on Friday alongside his accomplice, Sunday Ibekwute.

Justice Lifu remanded the two defendants after they pleaded not guilty to the three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, trafficking of 322 Kg of Tramadol and unlawful dealing and possession of the said banned drug levelled against them by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

In the charge marked FHC/L/159c/2021, the NDLEA prosecutor, Mrs Theresa Asuquo, alleged that Mallinson and Ibekwute and one Pius Enidom, who jumped bail, on May 4, 2021, conspired among themselves to commit the alleged offence.

According to the prosecutor, the offence committed contravened Sections 14(b); 11 and 11(b) of the NDLEA Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federal Government of Nigeria (LFN) 2004.

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Counsel to the defendants, Emeka Opara, SAN, while moving their bail application, urged the court to admit them to bail in the most liberal terms.

The prosecutor, however, opposed the bail application.

Justice Lifu, therefore, adjourned the matter till July 18, 2022, for ruling on the bail applications and ordered the remand of the two defendants in NCoS’ custody.

The presiding judge also issued a bench warrant against Pius Enidom, who had jumped bail.

The Star