Justice Friday Ogazi of a Federal High Court, Lagos on Wednesday ordered the remand of a 70- year -old woman, Madam Barek Yetunde, in the custody of Ikoyi prison, pending the hearing of her bail application on September 2,2026.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, today arraigned Madam Yetunde for being in possession and transporting 13 kilogramme of Cocaine, a substance similar to Heroin and LSD.
When the matter was called for the arraignment of the defendant, the prosecutor, Mr. Abu Ibrahim, announced appearance for the prosecution while Chief Benson Ndakara, appeared for the defendant.
Ibrahim then moved an application seeking the leave of the court for an order for the arraignment of the defendant during the court vacation.
After leave was grated by the trial judge, Abu 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 two-count charge was then read to Yetunde, who pleaded not guilty to the charge.
According to the charge, Yetunde, female, a Nigerian of Number 14, Alhaji Azeez Ajanaku Street, Okota, Lagos State, was alleged to have on or about June 28, 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 June 28, 2026, without lawful authority transported 13 kllograms of Cocaine, a Narcotic Drug 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.
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Following her plea of not guilty, the prosecutor asked for a trial date and the remand of the defendant in prison custody pending the commencement of trial.
However, the defence counsel, 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 a 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, as Ndakara pleaded with the court to remand the defendant in the custody of NDLEA due to her health challenges, but Abu opposed the application, saying that the agency has no sufficient facility to accommodate her.
Due to the refusal of the prosecution to have the defendant remanded in their custody, Ndakara 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 Ikoyi prison, pending hearing of her bail application.
