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The federal high court in Lagos has remanded Abugu Oliver Ikechukwu, a Brazil-based Nigerian businessman, over the alleged importation of 6.1 kilograms of cocaine.
Ikechukwu was arraigned on Friday by the National Drug Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Abu Ibrahim, the NDLEA prosecutor, told the court that the defendant was arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on June 11, 2026.
Ibrahim said Ikechukwu was intercepted during the inward clearance of passengers who arrived from an Ethiopian Airlines flight from Brazil.
According to the NDLEA prosecutor, the defendant allegedly soaked liquid cocaine in towels and other clothing.
Ibrahim told the court that the offences contravened section 11(a) of the NDLEA Act, Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
“That you Abugu Oliver Ikechukwu, Male, Adult, Nigerian on or about the 11th June, 2026 at Gate 2 of the Arrival Hall of Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos during the inward clearance of passengers on Ethiopia Airline flight from Brazil via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to Lagos without lawful authority imported 6.1 kilograms of Cocaine, a Narcotic Drug immersed/soaked in Towels and other clothing and you thereby committed an act which is an offence contrary to and punishable under section 11(a) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004,” part of the charge sheet reads.
When the charge sheet was read, the defendant pleaded not guilty.
After the defendant took his plea, the NDLEA prosecutor asked the court for a trial date and an order for remand.
Responding, Benson Ndakara, counsel to the defendant, said he had filed Ikechukwu’s bail application and served it on the prosecutor.
However, Ndakara was not permitted to move the bail application due to the tight schedule of the court.
The trial judge ordered that the defendant be remanded at the correctional facility until September 9, when his bail application would be heard.
