NDLEA Arraigns Brazil Returnee for Cocaine Importation

Abugu Oliver Ikechukwu has been arraigned by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for the unlawful importation of 6.1 kilograms of cocaine into Nigeria. The arraignment took place before Justice Friday Ogazi at the Federal High Court in Lagos on Friday.

The alleged offence occurred on June 11, 2026, at Gate 2 of the Arrival Hall of Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, during the inward clearance of passengers arriving on an Ethiopian Airlines flight from Brazil via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The prosecutor, Abu Ibrahim, stated that Ikechukwu had concealed the cocaine by immersing it in towels and other clothing.

The charge against him is contrary to Section 11(a) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

Ikechukwu pleaded not guilty, and his lawyer, Benson Ndakara, indicated that a bail application had been filed. However, due to the court's tight schedule, the application could not be moved, and Justice Ogazi ordered that Ikechukwu be remanded at the Nigerian Correctional Services until September 9, when the bail application will be heard.