16 Suspected Hemp Traffickers Arraigned At Fed High Court Awka

                                              

The National  Drug Law Enforcement Agency(NDLEA) yesterday draged 16 suspected drug traffickers arrested at various points of Anambra State in the last two months to the Federal High Court, Awka, presided over by Honourable Justices Mohammed Lawal Abubaka and Isa Bature Gafui.

 The prosecutor  representing the Federal Government,  Barr. Patrick Eshua had earlier alleged that security operatives from NDLEA had arrested the first four accused – Chukwuebuka Agbi, Onyemaechi  Ogbonna,  Osai  Sunday and Uchenna Nwafor on two count charges of possession of Indian hemp on March 27, 2014 at Onitsha, weighing 36.1kg, attempt  to resist and fight the operatives   when they were found with suspected substances.

Also docked at the Federal High Court  yesterday was Anayo Chigbata (35) on two count charges of possession and trafficking in Indian lump weighing 18.8kg, while Chike Ojukwu (43) and Elo Okoye (43) were arrested at different points in Anambra with weeds suspect to be Indian lump and weighing 15.3 gram. All the accused except Elo Okoye pleaded not guilty.

The Hon. Justice I.B, Gafai who presided at court 2 adjourned the cases to June 17, and 18, 2014, respectively for further hearing.

Speaking in an interview to odogwuemekaodogwu.com after the court session,  Barr. Eshua said, “The 16 suspects were arraigned today, their cases were called and the charges read out to them individually. They pleaded guilty and not guilty”, so they will now appear for further hearing in the matter.

“The essence of arraigning the suspects  is for justice to be done. We appreciate the efforts of Anambra State government who are encouraging NDLEA to work harder”, adding that the fight against drug trafficking should not be left to the government and NDLEA alone.

He urged members of the public to come forward with information that will assist in ridding the state of illicit drug trafficking, even as he assured that any  informant will be protected.

In his remark, counsel for all the accused, Barr. Chinwuba L., Nduokache stated that he will file papers for their bail, since the prosecutor has preferred the charges.

He said,“What transpired in court today is arraignment for unlawful possession of Indian Hump and preventing arrest by NDLEA.

"This is a court of records, no oral application, everything is in written form, so we are ready to face the NDLEA in court".