A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has ordered the remand of a 70-year-old woman, Barek Mary Yetunde, over an alleged attempt to traffic 13 kilogrammes of cocaine to the United Kingdom.
Justice Friday Ogazi issued the order on Wednesday following the arraignment of Yetunde by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency on a two-count charge bordering on unlawful possession, transportation and attempted exportation of cocaine.
Yetunde, who resides in Okota, Lagos, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The prosecution alleged that the septuagenarian committed the offences on June 28, 2026, at the Departure Hall of Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja.
According to the NDLEA, Yetunde allegedly attempted to export 13kg of cocaine while undergoing passenger clearance for a Virgin Atlantic flight from Lagos to the United Kingdom.
She was also accused of transporting the same quantity of the illicit drug from her residence to the airport.
The alleged offences contravene Section 11(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Following her plea, NDLEA prosecutor, Abu Ibrahim, urged the court to remand the defendant and adjourn the matter for trial.
However, defence counsel, Chief Benson Ndakara, informed the court that his client’s bail application had already been filed and served on the prosecution.
He urged the judge to hear the application, noting that the NDLEA had filed a counter-affidavit opposing the bail request, to which the defence had responded.
Justice Ogazi, however, said the bail application could not be heard immediately due to the number of cases listed on the court’s vacation cause list.
Ndakara subsequently asked the court to consider keeping the defendant in NDLEA custody pending the determination of her bail application, citing her advanced age and reported health challenges.
The prosecution opposed the request, arguing that the agency lacked adequate facilities to keep the defendant in its custody.
Justice Ogazi consequently ordered that Yetunde be remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre.
The judge adjourned the case until September 2, 2026, for the hearing of the defendant’s bail application.