The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, yesterday arraigned a suspect, Mr. Ikejiaku Sylvester Chukwunwe (a.k.a. Blessed Benita) who is alleged to be the most wanted drug baron in Anambra State at the Federal High Court, Awka on a 13–count charge which include operating a drug trafficking cartel.

Ikejiaku and other members of his network, Anthony Yeboa Frank, Sampson Odinka Peter, Obi Ikejiaku, Benjamin Arinze, Mmoneke Innocent Onyebuchi, Benjack, Uche (in China), Okey (in Turkey), Tony, Ikechukwu, Okafor, Hyginus of Satellite Town, Lagos, Raphael, Wisdom (in Malaysia), Sunday (in Enugu), Emeka Ojemene (in Brazil), Obinna Ifediora (Satellite Town, Lagos, Chijioke (Benin Republic) and one Jude, all at large, was said to be in the illicit business of processing and exporting methamphetamine, a drug similar to cocaine, heroine and LSD, using couriers and packing them in cargoes.

The agency also arraigned on a separate three-count charge of conspiring to establish clandestine laboratories for the preparation, extraction and production of methamphetamine, one Oluchi Nduaguba and John Atuenyi.

The king pin, Ikejiaku was accused of engaging in the organisation, management and financing the organisation without lawful authority, and converting the proceeds of illicit traffic in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances into ostensible legitimate enterprises, thereby committing an offence as provided for under Section 18 (a) of the Money Laundering Act, 2011 and punishable under Section 15 (1) and (2).

He was further said to have connived with one Babayo, who is at large at the domestic wing of the Murtala Mohammed Airport, as owner of a Bureau de Change, between 2000 and 2015, collaborated to conceal the true nature and origin of illicit funds being proceeds of illicit traffic in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.

According to NDLEA, Ikejikau, on or about 7th May, 2015, possessed 2.615 kilogrammes of liquid methamphetamine and 250 grammes of hard methamphetamine without lawful authority and converted the proceeds directly into real property and physical assets in different locations in Lagos and Anambra.

He was further accused of procuring and inducing one Elum Moses Azubuike on February 19, 2015 who was arrested at Seme Border, Lagos to export 23.1 kilogrammes of methamphetamine.

They all pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Azubuike is currently standing trial at the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on Charge No. FMC/L/120/2015, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 14 (a) of the NDLEA Act Cap 30 laws of the Federation of Nigeria.

Properties acquired by Ikejiaku with the proceeds from the illicit drug deal include one at No 21 Joy Avenue, Ajao Estate, Lagos; another one at No 2 James Close, Ajao Estate, Lagos, motorcycle spare parts shop at Zone 20 Nnewi Main Market, Black Audi Q5 car with registration number EPE 546CF, 406 car with registration No FST 578 AS, grey coloured Toyota Venza with registration No AAA 18 BP.

Similarly, Oluchukwu Nduaguba and John Atuenyi were also arraigned differently on six count charge on a similar matter.

Counsel to the defendants, Chief Benson Ndakara and Emmanuel Okenyi applied for their bail, but the prosecuting counsel, Mr. Lambert Nor opposed to it and they were remanded in prison custody.

The ruling for the bail application was adjourned by the Presiding Judge, Justice Isa Gafai to July1, 2015, while further hearing on the substantive matter was adjourned to November 3 and 4, 2015.

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