- Court Remands 70-Year-Old Woman Over Alleged 13kg Cocaine Export Attempt
- She was also accused of transporting the same quantity of cocaine from her residence in Okota to the airport
- Fixes Bail Hearing for Sept 2
A Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos State, has ordered the remand of a 70-year-old woman, Barek Mary Yetunde, at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre over an alleged 13-kilogramme cocaine trafficking offence.
Eko Hot Blog reports that justice Friday Ogazi issued the order on Wednesday after the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, arraigned Yetunde on a two-count charge bordering on the unlawful possession, transportation and attempted exportation of cocaine.
EDITOR’S PICK
- Dabiri-Erewa Celebrates ‘London Bus Aunty’ Over London Transport Honour
- 2027: Tinubu Charges APC Campaign Council to Showcase Achievements, Defeat Opposition
- Lagos Explains Delay in Replacing BRT Buses Destroyed During #EndSARS
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The prosecution alleged that Yetunde committed the offences on June 28, 2026, at the Departure Hall of Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.
According to the NDLEA, Yetunde allegedly attempted to export 13kg of cocaine during the outward clearance of passengers boarding a Virgin Atlantic flight from Lagos to the United Kingdom.
She was also accused of transporting the same quantity of cocaine from her residence in Okota to the airport.
The alleged offences contravene Section 11(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Following her plea, NDLEA prosecutor, Abu Ibrahim, asked the court to fix a date for trial and remand the defendant in a correctional facility pending further proceedings.
Defence counsel, Chief Benson Ndakara, informed the court that his client’s bail application had already been filed and served on the prosecution.
He said the NDLEA had filed a counter-affidavit opposing the bail application, while the defence had also filed a response.
Ndakara urged the court to hear the bail application, but Justice Ogazi said it could not be taken immediately due to the number of cases on the court’s vacation cause list.
The defence counsel subsequently asked the court to remand Yetunde in NDLEA custody, citing her age and reported health challenges.
The prosecution opposed the request, arguing that the agency lacked adequate facilities to keep her in custody.
Justice Ogazi consequently ordered that the septuagenarian be remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre pending the hearing of her bail application.
The court adjourned the case until September 2, 2026, for hearing of the bail application.
FURTHER READING
- ‘Irregular Migration Is Voluntary Suicide’ – Dabiri-Erewa Warns Nigerians
- ‘Kill Him!’ Disu Reveals Shocking Request From Retired Soldier Over Son
- Sanwo-Olu Presents Staff of Office to New Onise of Ise Kingdom
Click here to watch video of the week
