The Federal High Court in Lagos has remanded Olu Marshall, a United Kingdom returnee, at the correctional center over allegations of importing 700 grams of a potent strain of Cannabis Sativa, popularly referred to as “Canada Loud.” The substance was allegedly smuggled into the country on November 5, 2024.
Justice Ayounle Faji ordered Marshall’s remand after the defendant pleaded not guilty to a two-count charge of conspiracy and illegal importation of the narcotic drug. The prosecutor, Barrister Abu Ibrahim, told the court that the accused was apprehended at the Skyway Handling Company (SAHCO) within the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos. He further alleged that the defendant conspired with an accomplice named Potter, who is currently at large.
The charges against Marshall contravene sections 14(b) and 20(1)(a) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act, Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. These sections prescribe punishments for drug-related offenses.
Despite the allegations, Marshall denied any wrongdoing. His defense counsel, Barrister Jude Ehiedu, informed the court that he had filed a bail application for his client, which had already been served on the prosecution. However, the prosecutor stated that while he received the application on November 9, he needed time to respond.
Following submissions from both sides, Justice Faji adjourned the case to March 12 and 13, 2025, for trial. Meanwhile, the judge directed that the defense may approach the vacation judge to have the bail application heard.
The formal charges against Marshall include conspiring with Potter to import the narcotic drug and unlawfully bringing the banned substance into Nigeria without authorization.
In a Related Development
Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa, also of the Federal High Court, Lagos, sentenced a drug trafficker, Lateef Sunday Oladipupo, to three years imprisonment or an option of a N5 million fine for transporting 517 kilograms of Cannabis Sativa.
The prosecutor, Mariam I. Erondu, informed the court that Oladipupo was arrested on October 5, 2024, at a Customs checkpoint on the Badagry Expressway. The cannabis was concealed in a yellow Mazda bus with registration number JGB 736 XB, Ogun State.
The charge against Oladipupo was brought under Section 11(b) of the NDLEA Act, Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. The convict admitted to the offense and pleaded guilty.
During the sentencing, Oladipupo’s lawyer, Barrister Spurgeon Ataene, pleaded for leniency, citing his client’s remorse and timely guilty plea. Justice Lewis-Allagoa sentenced him to three years imprisonment but provided the option of a N5 million fine as an alternative to serving jail time.
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