THE Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, on Wednesday ordered the remand of a 70-year-old Nigerian-British woman, Barek Mary Yetunde, at the Ikoyi Correctional Facility over alleged trafficking of 13 kilograms of cocaine.
The court, presided over by Justice Friday Ogazi, arrived at the decision shortly after the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) arraigned the septuagenarian on a two-count charge of unlawful possession, transportation, and exportation of a narcotic drug.
Upon the calling of the criminal matter, the counsel for the NDLEA, Mr Abu Ibrahim, announced appearance for the prosecution, while Chief Benson Ndakara appeared for the defendant.
In addressing the court, Ibrahim moved an application seeking leave of the court to arraign the defendant during the court vacation, which was granted by Justice Ogazi.
The two-count charge dated August 8, 2026, was then read to the defendant, who pleaded not guilty.
In the criminal charge before the court, Barek Mary Yetunde of No. 14, Alhaji Azeez Ajanaku Street, Okota, Lagos, was alleged to have on or about June 28, 2026, at the Departure Hall of Terminal 2, Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos, during outward clearance of passengers on a Virgin Atlantic flight from Lagos to the United Kingdom, exported 13kg of cocaine without lawful authority.
The defendant was equally alleged to have transported the same 13kg of cocaine from her residence in Okota to the Departure Hall of Terminal 2, MMIA, Ikeja.
The offences are contrary to and punishable under Section 11(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, Cap N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
However, after her plea, the NDLEA prayed to Justice Ogazi for a trial date and for the defendant to be remanded in a Correctional Facility.
On his part, the counsel for the defence, Chief Ndakara, revealed that a bail application had already been filed and served on the prosecution, adding that the prosecution had filed a counter-affidavit which the defence had responded to, urging the judge to hear the bail motion.
The prosecutor confirmed he had filed an opposition to the bail application.
Delivering his ruling, Justice Ogazi held that the court could not hear the bail application due to the volume of cases on the vacation cause list.
As a result of the decision of the court, Ndakara requested that the defendant be remanded in NDLEA custody due to her age and health challenges, but the prosecution opposed, stating the agency lacks adequate facilities to accommodate her.
Justice Ogazi adjourned the matter to September 2, 2026, for hearing of the bail application and ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Nigerian Correctional Centre, Ikoyi, pending the hearin