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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has commenced the trial of billionaire businessman, Chief Ukatu Afamefuna Mallinson, alongside two associates, Pius Enidom and Sunday Ifeanyi Ibekwute, before the Federal High Court in Lagos over allegations of conspiracy, unlawful possession, and trafficking of 322 kilograms of Tramadol.

The trial began before Justice Yellim Bogoro, who took over the matter following the transfer of the former trial judge, Justice Peter Lifu, to the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court.

The three defendants are being prosecuted by the NDLEA in charge number FHC/L/159C/2021. They were initially arraigned in 2022 and pleaded not guilty to the charges.

According to the charge, the NDLEA alleged that the defendants conspired on or about May 4, 2021, at Ikeja, Lagos, to possess 322 kilograms of Tramadol, a narcotic drug, without lawful authority.

In one of the counts, the agency alleged that Pius Enidom, Sunday Ifeanyi Ibekwute, and Chief Ukatu Afamefuna Mallinson conspired to possess the prohibited substance, an offence said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 14(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, Cap N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

The prosecution further alleged that the defendants knowingly possessed the 322 kilograms of Tramadol without lawful authority, contrary to and punishable under Section 11 of the same Act.

The NDLEA maintained that the offences were committed within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court in Lagos.
During the proceedings, the prosecution team, led by Adekunle Adebajo, informed the court that the matter was scheduled for the commencement of trial and subsequently called its first witness to testify.

The witness, Dogo Hyelda Moses, an NDLEA operative, testified on the role he played after the defendants were arrested and brought before him alongside exhibits allegedly recovered during the operation.

Giving evidence before the court, Moses narrated how the suspects and the exhibits were handed over to him as part of the agency’s investigative process. He also explained the steps he took in handling the defendants and the recovered items.

The witness was subsequently cross-examined by defence counsel, including Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) B.C. Igwilo, as well as Omon Omofoma and Ayowande Olatunji, who appeared for the defendants.

The commencement of evidence marks a significant development in the criminal proceedings, which have been pending since the defendants were first arraigned several years ago.

The case was initially being heard by Justice Peter Lifu before his transfer from the Lagos Division led to its reassignment to Justice Bogoro.

Following the day’s proceedings, Justice Bogoro adjourned the matter until November 5 for continuation of trial.
The prosecution is expected to call additional witnesses as it seeks to establish the allegations that the defendants conspired to possess and unlawfully possessed 322 kilograms of Tramadol.

The defendants, however, maintain their innocence and continue to enjoy the constitutional presumption of innocence pending the determination of the charges.

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The Nigerian Navy said its operatives attached to its frontline base, the NNS BEECROFT has rescued five persons attempting to travel out of Nigeria through illegal means.

The Commander of the NNS BEECROFT, Commodore Aiwuyor Adams Aliu said the suspected stowaways were rescued rescued from the merchant vessel, MT CHINAFRIE HAPPINESS, which was travelling to India from the Tin Can Island Port in Lagos.

Commodore Adams Aliu said the men were handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) as part of ongoing efforts to combat illegal migration and strengthen maritime security.

According to the Nigerian Navy, the five men were discovered on Wednesday, June 17, concealed inside the rudder compartment of the vessel, explaining that a stowaway is a person who secretly boards a vessel with the intention of travelling illegally to another country without authorisation.

The suspects were safely evacuated by naval personnel and taken to NNS BEECROFT for preliminary investigation and profiling.

He said initial investigations identified the suspects as Segun Samuel Boyewa (31), Kingsley Chukwu (43), Joseph Judge (33), Moses Aletor (24), and Abdullahi Danlami (31).

Further findings revealed that the suspects had boarded MT CHINAFRIE HAPPINESS while it was berthed at Tin Can Island Port, intending to travel illegally to India.

The Navy said the handover to the Nigeria Immigration Service underscores the sustained collaboration among security agencies in addressing illegal migration and enhancing safety within Nigeria’s maritime domain.

The Commanding Officer of NNS BEECROFT urged parents, guardians and community leaders to discourage young people from engaging in dangerous and unlawful attempts to board seagoing vessels in pursuit of irregular migration.

He reaffirmed the commitment of NNS BEECROFT to fulfilling the mission of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, by maintaining a highly motivated and professional naval force capable of safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime interests, supporting joint operations, defending national sovereignty, and contributing to internal security.

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The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Mr Fatai Tijani, has assured residents that a commercial area in the state remains safe following a bomb explosion suspected to be an Improvised Explosive Device, which triggered brief panic in the area.

Tijani gave the assurance on Monday, June 22, 2026 while addressing journalists at the scene of the incident at the Shoe Materials Market in Mushin, following a comprehensive sweep by security operatives.

According to him, the police received information about an explosion and immediately deployed Explosive Ordnance Disposal operatives to cordon off and secure the area.

“We promptly deployed our EOD team after receiving reports of an explosion. The area was cordoned off and thoroughly searched,” he said.

He explained that preliminary findings indicated that the explosion was caused by an Improvised Explosive Device planted under a vehicle.

Tijani said the device was placed beneath the passenger side of the vehicle and detonated when the engine was started.

“The IED was under the vehicle by the passenger side. It exploded when the vehicle was started,” he said.

According to him, one person sustained injuries in the incident and was taken to a hospital for treatment.

He said that the victim was in a stable condition.

The commissioner added that after a detailed sweep by EOD experts, no additional explosive devices were discovered in the area.

The police commissioner urged members of the public, especially residents and traders in the affected commercial area, to remain calm and resume normal activities.

He also stated that remnants of the explosive device had been recovered and taken for forensic examination as investigations continued.

The CP urged residents to remain calm and disregard rumours suggesting widespread insecurity in Lagos, describing these as false and misleading.

(NAN)