The
controversial Nigerian judge, Okon Abang who has been enmeshed in
popular political cases has remanded some suspects in prison ahead of
the yuletide.
Justice Okon Abang
Four members of staff of the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company
(NAHCO) have been sent to Kuje Prison by Justice Okon Abang, according
to the Vanguard.
They were remanded after they pleaded not guilty to a charge of
aiding and abetting the exportation of 144 kgs of ephedrine to
Mozambique.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) filed the charge
against the officials after a failed attempt to export the drug to
Maputo, Mozambique at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA)
Abuja.
The Chief Security Supervisor of NAHCO, Mr. Audu Garba, two
security assistants, Nasiru Ibrahim and Haruna Abdullahi, and a load
controller, Victor Ahenje who is at large were arraigned before Justice
Abang but they all pleaded not guilty. The case was however adjourned
till 9 January next year for hearing.
All the accused will remain in custody till then, thereby spending
the yuletide in jail. According to the charge, the said NAHCO staff who
are in charge of cargo safety and security conspired with suspected drug
trafficking syndicate in swapping already screened consignments by
security agencies at the airport with similar packages that contained
narcotics.
The agency stated that the illicit action of the group was
uncovered following an intelligence report. In the course of
investigation, the Agency extended its search by inviting a number of
airport officials suspected to be involved in the incident for
interrogation. While others were cleared, five staff of NAHCO including a
load controller who is at large were found to be seriously indicted.
These staff were deliberately working to undermine security
measures at the airport by swapping already screened cargoes with
similar consignment that had been stuffed with narcotics.
The Chief Security Supervisor, Mr. Audu Garba was also identified
as the suspected master mind of this high level conspiracy. Others are
two security assistants, Nasiru Ibrahim and Haruna Abdullahi, a driver,
Adamu Dasura as well as a load controller, Victor Ahenje who is at
large.
It was disclosed that the defendants were taking undue advantage of
their position and privilege by deploying the official vehicle of NAHCO
in the said act of sabotage.
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