Justice Friday Ogazi of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos on Wednesday ordered the remand of a 70- year -old woman Barek Mary Yetunde in the custody of the Nigeria Correctional Center Ikoyi, Lagos pending the hearing of her bail application on September 2, 2026.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA has arraigned Barek Mary Yetunde for attempting to export and transporting 13 kilogrammes of Cocaine, a substance similar to Heroin and LSD.
When the matter was called for the arraignment of the defendant before Justice Friday Ogazi today, the prosecutor, Mr Abu Ibrahim announced appearance for the prosecution while Chief Benson Ndakara leading Chief Dennis Warri announced appearance for the defendant.
Abu in his submission informed the court of the pendency of a two counts charge and urged the court to order that the two count charge dated August 8, 2026 be read to the defendant so that she can take her plea.
The charge was then read to Barek Mary Yetunde who pleaded not guilty to the charge.
According to the charge, Barek Mary Yetunde, female, a Nigerian of Number 14, Alhaji Azeez Ajanaku Street, Okota Lagos State was alleged to have on or about the 28th day of June, 2026 at the Departure Hall of Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja – Lagos during the outward clearance of passengers on Virgin Atlantic flight on Lagos to United Kingdom without lawful authority exported 13 kilograms of Cocaine, a Narcotic Drug similar to heroin and LSD.
The defendant was also alleged to have on or about the 28th day of June, 2026 without lawful authority transported 13 kllograms of Cocaine from her residence located at No. 14, Alhaji Azeez Ajanaku Street, Okota Lagos State to the Departure ‘Hall of Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Ikeja Lagos.
Following her plea of not guilty, the prosecutor asked for a trial date and the remand of the defendant in the Custody of the Nigeria Correctional Facility pending the commencement of trial.
However, the defence counsel, Chief Benson Ndakara while not objecting to a trial date, informed the court that the defendant has filed a motion for her bail which he said has been served on the prosecution.
He further submitted that prosecution had also filed counter affidavit to the motion for bail and that he had also responded to the counter affidavit.
Ndakara urged the court to hear his motion .
Responding, Abu said that he has already filed a response opposing the bail application
After listening to counsel, Justice Ogazi said the court would not be able to hear the bail application today due to the numbers of pending cases in court.
Consequent upon the decision of the court to adjourn hearing of the bail application, Chief Ndakara pleaded with the court to remand the defendant in the Custody of NDLEA due to her health challenges, but Abu opposed the application for the remand of the defendant in NDLEA Custody saying the Agency has no sufficient facility to accommodate her.
Due to the refusal of the prosecution to have the defendant remanded in their custody, Chief Ndakara passionately pleaded for a short adjournment to move the bail application.
After listening to patties Justice Ogazi adjourned the matter to September 2 for hearing of the bail application and then ordered that the defendant be remanded in the custody of the Nigeria Correctional Center pending hearing of her bail application.
The charge against the defendant read;
That you Barek Mary Yetunde, Female, Adult, Nigerian of No. 14, Alhaji Azeez Ajanaku Street, Okota Lagos State on or about the 28th June, 2026 at the Departure Hall of Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja – Lagos during the outward clearance of passengers on Virgin Atlantic flight om Lagos to United Kingdom without lawful authority exported 13 kilograms of Cocaine, a Narcotic Drug and you thereby committed an act which is an ofence contrary to and punishable under section 11(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
QUNT 2
That you Barek Mary Yetunde, Female, Adult, Nigerian of No. 14, Alhaji Azeez Ajanaku Street, Okota Lagos State on or about the 28th June, 2026 without lawful authority transported 13 kllograms of Cocaine, a Narcotic Drug from your residence located at No. 14, Alhaji Azeez Ajanaku Street, Okota Lagos State to Departure ‘Hall of Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Ikeja Lagos and you thereby committed an act which is an ofence contrary to and punishable under section 11(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
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