The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has obtained express permission to hold the Lagos-based billionaire, Nsofor Ugochukwu, also known as Ugochukwu Nsofor Chukwukadibia, for another two weeks in its custody pending the conclusion of investigation.
Justice Akintayo Aluko of a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, granted the NDLEA the leave on Thursday.
The court’s order was sequel to an ex parte application by the NDLEA Prosecutor, Umar Hussain, seeking the order empowering the Agency to remand the defendant in its custody for an initial period of 14 days.
The obtained court affidavit in support of the motion ex parte deposed to by a litigation officer attached to the Directorate of Prosecution and Legal Services at the NDLEA, Kareem Musibau, stated that, “the respondent was arrested at Plot Z-130, Road 67 VGC Housing Estate along Epe Expressway in Lagos on September 30, 2022 in connection to the seizure of 10,598 kilogrammes of tramadol, while dealing and conspiring to distribute same to his associates in Nigeria and other parts of the world.
“That the Respondent is an illicit drug baron operating a Drug Trafficking Organisation in collaboration with his associates in Nigeria and other parts of the world.
“That this court has the powers under the law to make the orders sought on the motion paper nine.
“That it will serve the interest of justice if this application is granted.”
