Michael Gbenga Akomolafe, an officer, was arraigned before a Federal High Court in Lagos State after he was accused of drug trafficking, according to the Nigeria Immigration Service, which has suspended him.
This information was released in a statement on Wednesday, July 24, 2024 in Abuja by Kenneth Udo, the Public Relations Officer for NIS.
According to Udo, a publication that connected the officer working at the Murtala Muhammad International Airport in Lagos to drug trafficking brought the service’s attention.
According to him, the service was provided in favor of the court case aimed at establishing Akomolafe’s liability in the incident.
He said, “The officer in question has since been suspended and subjected to internal processes due to his alleged involvement in drug trafficking.”
“The NIS will not comment further on this matter until it has received the court’s ruling.”
According to Udo, NIS is still dedicated to providing top-notch services, upholding discipline, and having no tolerance for criminal activity.
He declared that the service would not think twice about disciplining any officer whose actions went against the principles that guide its operations.
On Monday, Akomolafe was charged by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency in front of the Federal High Court in Lagos with trafficking eight kilograms of methamphetamine and seventy-six kilograms of cannabis sativa, popularly known as marijuana.
Accomolafe, who is employed at the Murtala Muhammad International Airport in Ikeja, Lagos, was arrested with Nwadozie Amaechi, Nwosu Cyril, and Babatunde Olufemi, who is purportedly a staff member of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria.
Judge Daniel Osiagor arraigned the defendants, who are accused of nine offenses pertaining to conspiracy, illegal possession, importation, and trading in prohibited narcotics.
The defendants, who are reportedly members of a heavy drug syndicate, were apprehended on May 21, 2024, while attempting to transport the illegal narcotics out of the Murtala Muhammad International Airport, according to the prosecution’s witness, Abu Ibrahim, representing the NDLEA.
Ibrahim informed the court that the defendants planned to carry out the claimed offenses in conjunction with the South African couple Sunday Nwadozie and Echezona Nwosu.
Akomolafe faces six counts of conspiracy, illegal import, illegal possession, and trafficking in prohibited substances, according to the prosecution.
Olufemi, who is purported to be an employee of FAAN, Nnadozie, and Nwosu were accused on three counts each of conspiracy, illegal drug importation, and drug possession.
Sections 14 (b), 21 (2)(d), 20 (1)(c), 11 (b), and 20 (2)(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 were violated, according to the prosecutor.
Nevertheless, the immigration officer denied committing the offenses and entered a not guilty plea to all counts, while the other three gang members entered guilty pleas to the allegations brought against them.
Benson Ndakara, the immigration officer’s attorney, begged the court to grant him the most lenient bail conditions after the officer entered a not guilty plea.
As a result, N10 million in bail was granted to Akomolafe by Judge Osiagor, along with an equal amount for one surety.
Additionally, the judgment mandated that the surety work for Lagos State or the Federal Government as a Civil Servant of an Assistant Director cadre.
Based on their guilty pleas, Osiagor found the three men—Babatunde, Nnadozie, and Nwosu—guilty and sentenced them to four years for each count.
On each count, the three convicted individuals were mandated to pay a fine of N2 million.
The judge further mandated that the choice for a fine and a term to run concurrently.
