A female pharmacist, Helen Ikwebe Ori, has been arrested and charged before the Court for allegedly selling cocaine as analgesic drugs to buyers in Lagos State.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that Helen has been remanded at the Kirikiri female section of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS), by a Lagos Federal High Court, for alleged unlawful dealing in hard drugs.
The Presiding Judge, Justice Nicholas Oweibo, gave the order after she pleaded not guilty to the two counts charge of conspiracy and unlawful transportation of 51.10 kilograms of Pentazocine Injection 30mg, a narcotic analgesic, similar to cocaine, LSD, heroin.
The National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) prosecutor, Mr. Abu Ibrahim, told the Court that the defendant, had on 1st June, 2023, procured one Agadi Sunday, to transport the banned drugs from Maiven Medics International Ltd, a Pharmaceutical Company in Lagos to Murtala Muhammed Domestic Airport, Ikeja-Lagos enroute Kaduna City in Kaduna State.
However, the defendant was arrested on 8th June, 2023, with the banned analgesic when she wanted to ferry same to Kaduna State, via Murtala Muhammed Domestic Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.
The prosecutor told the Court that the offences committed by the pharmacist, contravened Sections 21 (2)(d) and 20 (1)(a) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and punishable under Section 11(b) of the said Act and the alleged offence attracts several years of imprisonment.
However, the defendant pleaded not guilty.
The defendant’s Counsel, Mr. Dennis Warri, argued with the prosecutor, Mr. Ibrahim, on the bail application before the Court eventually ruled on the matter.
Justice Oweibo, having listened to their arguments, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N5 million, with one surety in like sum, who must show evidence of means of livelihood.
The Court also directed that the surety must be a resident within the jurisdiction of the Court, and that the bail terms must be verified by the Court’s Registrar.
The matter was adjourned till 20th September, 2023, for trial while the defendant was remanded in custody pending when she will perfect her bail conditions.
Part of the charges read: “That you Ikwebe Ori Helen, Female, Adult, on or about the 1st June, 2023 procured one Agadi Sunday, to transport 51.10kilograms of Pentazocine Injection 30mg, a Narcotic Analgesic, similar to Cocaine, LSD, Heroin from Maiven Medics International Ltd, a Pharmaceutical Company in Lagos to Murtala Muhammed Domestic Airport, Ikeja-Lagos enroute Kaduna, Kaduna State and you thereby committed an act contrary to Section 21 (2) (d) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and punishable under Section 11(b) of the said Act”.
Count II: That you Ikwebe Ori Helen, Female, Adult on or about the 8th June, 2023 transports 51.10kilogranis of Pentazocine Injection 30mg, a Narcotic Analgesic, similar to Cocaine, LSD, Heroin from Malven Medics International Ltd, a Pharmaceutical Company in Lagos, Lagos to Kaduna, Kaduna State and you thereby committed an act contrary to section 20 (1) (a) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and punishable under section 20 (2) (a) of the said Act.”