Posted by By ADESINA AIYEKOTI on
Former chairman of the National Drug Law and Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Bello Lafiaji and his one-time personal assistant, Usman Amali, on Monday pleaded not guilty to the five-count charge of bribery preferred against them by the Federal Government.
Former chairman of the National Drug Law and Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Bello Lafiaji and his one-time personal assistant, Usman Amali, on Monday pleaded not guilty to the five-count charge of bribery preferred against them by the Federal Government.
Following their pleas before a Lagos High Court, the trial judge, Justice (Mrs) Olusola Williams, granted each of the accused bail in the sum of N2 million with two sureties.
The sureties, the judge ordered, must have landed properties within the jurisdiction of the court.
Prior to the ruling, the lead defence counsel, Professor Taiwo Oshipitan (SAN), pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy by granting bail to the former NDLEA boss and his co-accused, arguing that besides being a former chairman of the anti-narcotic agency, he was a recipient of national honours, Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR) and Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON).
The second accused, according to the attorney, also deserved to be granted bail being an official of the State Security Service (SSS) who served the state meritoriously.
The accused persons were brought to court by the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) for allegedly committing criminal offences under the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences (ICPC) Act 2000, contrary to Section 26 and punishable under Section 10 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
According to the particulars of offences, 'Bello Lafiaji and Usman Amali, in November 2005 or thereabout at Lagos, conspired within themselves to unlawfully receive from Ikenna Onochie, a suspect with the NDLEA, the sum of 168,300 euros, being exhibit seized from Ikenna Onochie, in order to release Onochie and his vehicles from custody of the NDLEA."
ICPC counsel, Christiana Onuogwu, even though not opposing bail to the accused persons, urged the court to impose stringent conditions before allowing them on bail.
Meanwhile, July 29 and 30 have been fixed for the trial of the case.