Justice Friday Ogazi of the Federal High Court, Lagos today granted bail to a 70 Years old alleged female drug trafficker, Barek Mary Yetunde in the sum of N150 million with two sureties in like sum.
According to Justice Ogazi the defendant who resides in the United Kingdom is to provide two sureties in like sums. The sureties according to the court must be resident within the jurisdiction of the court and cmust be a landed property owners worth N150million with proof of ownership.
The sureties according to the court must produce evidence of of 3 years tax payment while the defendant is to deposit her British International passport with the court and ensure that she did not travel out of the country except through the permission of the court while the matter lasted.
Justice Ogazi of the Federal High Court had sometime in August 2026 ordered the remand of Barek Yetunde in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional facility Ikoyi, Lagos following her arraigned by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for being in possession and transportation of 13 kilogramme Cocaine, a substance similar to Heroin and LSD.
During her arraignment, the prosecution Barister Abu Ibrahim announced appearance for the prosecution while Chief Benson Ndakara announced appearance for the defendant.
The NDLEA had in the charge preferred against Barek Mary Yetunde of No 14 Alhaji Azeez Ajanaku Street, Okota, Lagos, it was alleged that the defendant 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 from Lagos to United Kingdom without lawful authority exported 13 kilograms of Cocaine, a Narcotic Drug similar to Heroin and LSD.
The defendant was further alleged to have on or about the 28th June, 2026 without lawful authority, transported 13 kllogramme of Cocaine, a Narcotic Drug from her 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
The offence allegedly committed by the defendant is 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.
After her plea of not guilty, the prosecutor prayed to the court that in view of the defendant’s plea, asked for a date for commencement of trial and further applied that the defendant be remanded in the Custody of the Nigerian Correctional Facility pending the commencement of trial.
While not objecting to a trial date, Ndakara informed the court that the defendant has filed a motion for her bail which was served to the prosecution. He further submitted that prosecution has filed a counter motion and he has also responded to the counter motion of the prosecution.
Ndakara said that subject to the convenience of the court, he was ready to move the motion. Responding, Abu said that he has already filed a response opposing the bail application
Chief Ndakara pleaded to the court to remand the defendant in the Custody of NDLEA because of her health issues but Abu opposed the application to remand the defendant in the Custody of NDLEA, saying that the Agency has no sufficient facility to take care of her health issues.
However in view of the refusal of the prosecution to have the defendant in their custody, Chief Ndakara passionately pleaded for a short adjournment to move the application.
Justice Ogazi then adjourned the matter to September 2 for hearing of the bail application and further ordered that the defendant be remanded in the Nigerian Correctional Facility pending determination of her bail.
The bail application was consequently moved today, September 2,.
The charge reads: “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 from Lagos to United Kingdom without lawful authority exported 13 kilograms of Cocaine, a Narcotic Drug and you thereby committed an act which is an offence 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.
“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 13kllograms 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 offence 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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