The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Monday commenced the trial of billionaire businessman, Chief Ukatu Afamefuna Mallinson, alongside two associates, Pius Enidom and Sunday Ifeanyi Ibekwute, before the Federal High Court in Lagos over allegations of conspiracy, unlawful possession and trafficking in 322 kilogrammes of Tramadol.

The trial commenced before Justice Yellim Bogoro who took over the case following the transfer of the former trial judge, Justice Peter Lifu, to the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court.

The three defendants are being prosecuted by the NDLEA in charge number FHC/L/159C/2021. They had earlier been arraigned in 2022 and pleaded ‘Not guilty’ to the charges.

According to the charge, the NDLEA alleged that the defendants conspired among themselves on or about May 4, 2021, at Ikeja, Lagos, to possess 322 kilogrammes of Tramadol, a narcotic drug, without lawful authority.

Specifically, in one of the counts, the agency alleged that Enidom, Ibekwute and Mallinson conspired to possess the prohibited substance, an offence said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 14(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, Cap N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

The prosecution further alleged that the three defendants knowingly possessed the 322 kilogrammes of Tramadol without lawful authority, contrary to and punishable under Section 11 of the same Act. The NDLEA contends that the offences were committed within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court in Lagos.

At Monday’s proceedings, the prosecution team, led by Mr. Adekunle Adebajo, informed the court that the matter was fixed for commencement of trial and subsequently called its first witness.

The witness, Mr. Dogo Hyelda Moses, an NDLEA operative, testified on the role he played after the defendants were arrested and brought before him alongside exhibits allegedly recovered during the operation.

Moses narrated how the suspects and the exhibits were handed over to him as part of the agency’s investigative process. He explained the steps he took in relation to the handling of the defendants and the recovered items.

The witness was thereafter cross-examined by the Lead Defence Counsel, Chief B. C. Igwilo (SAN), leading Omon Omofoma and Ayowande Olatunji, who appeared for the defendants.

NEWS DISH reports that Justice Bogoro adjourned the matter till November 5, 2026, for continuation of trial.

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