A Federal High Court, Lagos has discharged and acquitted a Nigerian businessman, Nnadi Kingsley Ikenna of drug-related offences made against him by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

Justice Deinde Dipeolu acquitted him of the alleged offences while delivering judgment in a suit marked FHC/L/400c/2023 filed against him by the NDLEA.

Justice Dipeolu after examining all the prosecution’s evidence as well as witnesses held that the evidence of the prosecution cannot secure the conviction of the defendant.

The judge held that the prosecution failed to link the businessman to all the offences levelled against him and thereafter discharged and acquitted him of the two counts charge brought against him.

The businessman, alongside one Oseni Ayodeji (now a convict), was charged before the court sometime in 2023, on a four-count charge of conspiracy, unlawful possession of 0.05 kilograms and 2.50 kilogrammes of cannabis Sativa a.k.a. marijuana.

At their arraignment, Ikenna was specifically charged with conspiracy and procuring one Sonuga Temitope to possess 0.50 kilograms of Cannabis Sativa, a Narcotic Drug similar to Cocaine, LSD.

Before the trial, the convict admitted to committing the offences and pleaded guilty to the charges against him.

But Ikenna denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty.

Upon the not-guilty plea, NDLEA commenced his trial and called a total of seven witnesses.

During the trial, the convict who was charged alongside the businessman specifically told the court that he neither knew the businessman nor had any relationship with him.

In his defence, the businessman consistently maintained his innocence and denied all the charges against him.

However, while delivering judgment Justice Dipeolu, held that there was no nexus between the businessman and some of the witnesses called by the prosecution.

The judge further held that the prosecution was unable to prove the cases against the second defendant (Nnadi), beyond all reasonable doubt.

Justice Dipeolu thereafter discharged and acquitted the businessman from the two counts of conspiracy and unlawful possession of cannabis.

Culled Guardian