The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arraigned an Indian national, Gupta Ravi Kumar, and a Nigerian, Ajewole Joel, before a Federal High Court in Lagos for the alleged unlawful importation of a staggering 1.59 tonnes of Tramadol. The duo faced a four-count charge before Justice Musa Kakaki, marking a significant bust for the anti-narcotics agency.
According to the charges read in court, the defendants were accused of conspiracy, unlawful importation, and procuring another accomplice, Ogunlana Akeem of Akman Global Investment & Logistics, who is currently at large. The illicit substances were identified as two separate consignments of Tapentadol Super Royal 200mg and 225mg, weighing 811.30 kilograms and 779.10 kilograms respectively.
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The NDLEA prosecution counsel, Abu Ibrahim, informed the court that the illegal importation was uncovered on September 11, 2025. The discovery was made during a routine examination of cargoes from an Ethiopian Airlines flight that originated from India. The operation took place at the Skyway Handling Company Import Shed, located within the customs area of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja, Lagos.
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Ibrahim told the court that “the defendants, without lawful authority, imported two separate consignments weighing 811.30 kilograms and 779.10 kilograms of Tapentadol Super Royal 200mg and 225mg, respectively, narcotic substances similar to cocaine, LSD, and heroin.”
He further stated that the alleged offences contravened Sections 11(a), 11(b), and 21(2)(d) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, Cap N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. When the charges were read to them, both defendants pleaded not guilty.
Following their plea, the prosecutor requested the court to fix a date for trial and to remand the defendants in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service pending the hearing and determination of their bail applications. However, the defence counsel for the defendants, Benson Ndakara for Kumar and Mr. Tunde Adewuyi (SAN) for Joel, were prepared and immediately presented their clients' bail applications for hearing.
Justice Musa Kakaki allowed the applications to be moved, and the prosecution responded to the arguments presented by the defence. After listening to both parties, the judge adjourned the ruling on the bail applications to Friday, November 14, 2025. The substantive trial of the case was subsequently fixed for February 4, 2026, setting the stage for a major legal proceeding against the alleged international drug trafficking suspects.
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