NDLEA Arraigns Indian, Nigerian Nationals in Lagos Over Alleged Importation of 1.59 Tonnes of Tramadol
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Monday arraigned two defendants—an Indian national, Gupta Ravi Kumar, and a Nigerian, Ajewole Joel—before the Federal High Court, Lagos, on allegations of unlawful importation of controlled narcotic substances exceeding 1.59 tonnes of Tramadol.
The defendants were brought before Justice Musa Kakaki on a four‑count charge bordering on conspiracy, unlawful importation, and procurement of an accomplice, Ogunlana Akeem of Akman Global Investment & Logistics, who remains at large. The charges relate to consignments of Tapentadol Super Royal 200mg and 225mg, both classified as Tramadol derivatives.
According to the NDLEA, the illicit importation was intercepted on 11 September 2025 during the inspection of cargoes from an Ethiopian Airlines flight originating from India, at the Skyway Handling Company Import Shed, within the customs area of Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.
At the commencement of proceedings, NDLEA prosecution counsel, Abu Ibrahim, informed the court that a four‑count charge had been duly filed and requested that it be read to the defendants for plea taking. The prosecution alleged that the defendants, acting without lawful authority, imported two consignments weighing 811.30kg and 779.10kg of Tapentadol Super Royal, substances deemed narcotics and comparable in classification to cocaine, LSD, and heroin.
The prosecution further submitted that the offences contravened Sections 11(a), 11(b), and 21(2)(d) of the NDLEA Act, Cap N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Upon arraignment, both defendants entered not‑guilty pleas. Following this, the prosecution applied for a trial date and sought an order remanding the defendants in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service pending determination of their bail applications.
Defence counsel, Benson Ndakara (for the first defendant) and Mr. Tunde Adewuyi, SAN (for the second defendant), informed the court that bail applications had been filed and were ripe for hearing. Justice Kakaki permitted the applications to be moved, after which the prosecution responded.
Having heard submissions from both sides, the court adjourned ruling on the bail applications to Friday, 14 November 2025, while fixing the substantive trial for 4 February 2026.
