Female pharmacist arrested for selling cocaine-like drugs
Story from Saleh INUWA, Kano
A female pharmacist, Helen Ikwebe Ori, has been arrested and charged before the Court for allegedly selling cocaine disguised as analgesic drugs to buyers in Lagos State.
According to media reports, 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, and heroin.
The National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) prosecutor, Mr. Abu Ibrahim, told the Court that on 1st June 2023, the defendant 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 en route to Kaduna City in Kaduna State.
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However, the defendant was arrested on 8th June 2023, with the banned analgesic when she attempted to transport it 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 are punishable under Section 11(b) of the said Act. 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 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 51.10 kilograms 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 en route 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, transported 51.10 kilograms of Pentazocine Injection 30mg, a Narcotic Analgesic, similar to Cocaine, LSD, Heroin from Maiven 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.”
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