N22bn Tramadol: Trial of Suspected Drug Baron to Commence Oct 6

Wale Igbintade

A Federal High Court in Lagos has fixed October 6, for the commencement of trial of suspected billionaire drug baron, Chief Afam Mallinson Ukatu fingered in the alleged conspiracy, illegal dealing, trading and possession of 322 kilograms of Tramadol, a banned substance.

Ukatu alongside one of his co-defendants, Sunday Ifeanyi Ibekwute, were arraigned in court by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on  alleged drug-related offences.

Mallinson and his codefendant, were linked to the suspended Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Abba Kyari in an alleged N3 billion drug deal.

The two defendants were charged before the court presided over by Justice Peter Lifu, alongside one Pius Enidom, who has absconded after he was granted bail, on May 4, 2021, in charge marked FHC/L/159c/2021, filed against them by the NDLEA.

When the matter came up yesterday, the trial judge, Justice Peter Lifu, fixed October 6 for the commencement of the defendants’ trial after delivering ruling on the bail application.

The billionaire and his worker, were admitted to bail in the sum of N100 million with two sureties in the like sum.

One of the sureties, according to the judge, must be an industrialist, specifically, a member of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), who must be a landed property owner within the court jurisdiction. While the second surety must be a Grade Level 15 official either in federal or Lagos State Government establishment.

The judge also ordered the defendants to deposit their international passport with the court’s Registrar and to file an affidavit of dual citizenship if they’re, adding that they should be reporting to the prosecuting agency, NDLEA every 14 days till the determination of the charges against them. The judge also ordered that the court Registrars should verify the bail terms.

Meanwhile, counsel to the first defendant, Benson Ndakara, has assured the court of bringing his client, Pius Enidom, to court to continue his trial.

Ndakara told the court that he was disappointed with his client’s attitude, stressing that he had sent his partner to Anambra State, to lay an ambush against the runaway defendant.

Mallinson, and others were charged before the court by the NDLEA on a four-count charge of conspiracy, unlawful dealing, possession and trafficking of 322 kilograms of Tramadol.

They were alleged to have committed the offence on May 4, 2021 at Ikeja, Lagos State.

According to the prosecutor, Mrs. Theresa Asuquo, the alleged offences contravened Sections 14(b); 11 and 11(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federal on Nigeria (LFN) 2004.

The defendants pleaded not guilty to all the offences.

Following their plea of not guilty, their lawyers led by Mr.  Victor Opara (SAN) filed their bail application and asked the court to admit them to bail in the most liberal terms.