A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos State has granted bail to the founder and General Overseer of Christ Living Hope Church, Reverend Ekwem Emmanuel Ugochukwu, who was arrested with drugs at Lagos Airport.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency had arrested the cleric at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport while on his way to a three-week crusade in Nairobi, Kenya, with 54 sticks of drugs wrapped around his body.
The popular Preacher who has his church headquartered in Isuaniocha, Mgbakwu road, Awka, Awka North LGA, Anambra State, and two other branches in Lagos and Abuja, was arrested on Monday 7th March, during the outward clearance of passengers on Ethiopian Airlines flight to Nairobi via Addis Ababa.
Following his arrest, the NDLEA arraigned the suspect on a one-count of unlawful export of the banned drug and was first arraigned on 29th March.
The charge reads: “That you Ekwem Emmanuel Ugochukwu, male, adult, on or about the 7th day of March 2022 during the outward clearance of passengers of Ethiopia Airlines flight to Kenya at screening 1, Departure Hall of Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja-Lagos, without lawful authority exported 40 grammes of Cannabis Sativa, a narcotic drug similar to Cocaine, Heroin, and LSD.”
In his ruling on Friday, the presiding Judge, Justice Daniel Osiagor, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N2 million with one surety after his “not guilty” plea to a one-count and adjourned the trial to June 26.
Justice Osiagor ruled that the surety must be a Director in a Federal or Lagos State government establishment.
He remanded the defendant in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service till the perfection of his bail conditions.
Punch/Olaolu Fawole
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