The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arraigned an alleged fugitive drug kingpin, Festus Ibewuike, alongside his spouse, Ndidiamaka Ibewuike, and one other lady, Onyinye Igbokwuputa, earlier than the Federal High Court in Lagos over the alleged importation of 49.7 kilogrammes of heroin.
Ibewuike, also referred to as Chidibest Ibewuike, was arraigned on an amended six-count cost earlier than Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa after he was arrested within the Benin Republic, greater than two years after he went on the run.
The costs additionally included alleged conspiracy, illegal importation and possession of the prohibited substance, in addition to cash laundering.
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The arraignment adopted the NDLEA’s interception of 49.7 kilogrammes of heroin hid in cartons of metal-cutting machines on the import shed of the Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO) on the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja, in February 2024.
The company described the seizure as the one largest heroin consignment intercepted on the airport.
The company had claimed that the consignment was intercepted throughout a coordinated 12-day operation in February 2024, which led to the arrest of a number of members of the alleged trafficking syndicate.
Ibewuike was amongst three suspects declared needed and charged in absentia after the seizure.
The NDLEA alleged that the primary defendant fled Nigeria and relocated to Mozambique, the place he ran a resort enterprise, transferring between nations to evade arrest.
His spouse, Ndidiamaka, was accused of receiving drug-laden parcels on her husband’s behalf, a few of which had been marked with codes together with “ND.”
The investigation reportedly led to the freezing of 107 financial institution accounts and the forfeiture of properties allegedly linked to the syndicate.
Ibewuike’s interval on the run ended following his arrest on the Cotonou airport within the Benin Republic on September 2, 2026.
The amended cost alleges that Ibewuike conspired with a number of different suspects, together with three males who’ve since been convicted, to import the heroin consignment into Nigeria on or about February 10, 2024.
All three defendants pleaded not responsible when the costs had been learn to them.
After their pleas had been taken, the prosecutor, Abu Ibrahim, urged the court docket to repair a trial date and remand the primary defendant within the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service.
However, counsel to the primary defendant knowledgeable the court docket {that a} bail utility had been filed and served on the prosecution.
Ibrahim confirmed receipt of the appliance however stated the NDLEA would file a counter-affidavit, including that the prosecution nonetheless had time to reply.
Justice Lewis-Allagoa adjourned the case till November 18 for the listening to of the bail utility and ordered that Ibewuike be remanded in a correctional facility.
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