An official of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Felicia Afolabi, on Tuesday, testified in the trial of an alleged billionaire drug baron, Nsofor Kennedy Ugochukwu, also known as Ugochukwu Nsofor Chukwukadibia.

Felicia, a forensic expert with the anti-narcotic agency, told the court presided over by Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa her roles after the defendant was arrested.

Nsofor Kennedy, who the Chairman of Autonation Motors Limited, was arraigned before the court, for being in possession and storage of 5,340 Kilogrames of Tramadol, a prohibited substance.

The offences which are contrary to and punishable under Sections 12 and 19 of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act CAP N30 Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 2004 ( as amended).

At the resumed trial of the defendant, the NDLEA forensic officer Felicia, informed the court that she received three categories of exhibits while she was in her office.

She told the court that the exhibits were in categories of 225 grams, 250 grams and 225 grams of Tramadol samples.

She further told the court that when the exhibits were  analysed, they proved to contain Tramadol, a banned drug.

Felicia further told the court that she thereafter wrote her report of her discovery, which said were put it in a large brown sealed envelope, and forwarded same to the Exhibit Officer for keeping.

Upon conclusion of the witness evidence, the judge adjourned the matter till September 29 for the continuation of trial.

The defendant was first arraigned before the court sometime in November 2022.
He pleaded not guilty to the charge and was admitted to bail bail in the sum of N100 million and one surety in like sum.

Charges against the defendant read: “that you Nsofor Kennedy Ugochukwu a.k.a. Ugochukwu Nsofor Chukwukadibia, male, adult, Nigerian citizen of Plot Z-130, Road 67 VGC Housing Estate, Lagos, on or about September 30, 2022 at about 1400 hrs within the jurisdiction of this honourable court without lawful authority caused the premises at Plot A45 Road 2, being the owner of same at same VGC Housing Estate to be used for purpose of storing 5,340 Kilogrames of Tramadol, a substance similar to Cocaine, Heroin and LSD and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 12 of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act CAP N30 Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 2004 ( as amended).

“That you Nsofor Kennedy Ugochukwu a.k.a. Ugochukwu Nsofor Chukwukadibia, male, adult, Nigerian citizen of Plot Z-130, Road 67 VGC Housing Estate, Lagos, on or about September 30, 2022 at about 1400 hrs within the jurisdiction of this honourable court without lawful authority possessed 5,340 Kilogrames of Tramadol, a substance similar to Cocaine, Heroin and LSD and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 19 of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act CAP N30 Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 2004 ( as amended).“