Twenty suspected drug dealers granted bail by the Federal High Court Court in Lagos and granted bail have absconded, Justice Mojisola Olatoregun-Ishola said yesterday.
The judge issued a bench warrant for two of them.
Justice Olatoregun-Ishola, the court’s administrative judge, said she got reports from her follow judges that some suspects charged by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have not been coming for their trial.
She condemned the development, saying their lawyers should be held liable.
Addressing a defence counsel, Mrs O. Ogunleye, whose client was absent, the judge said: “You have over 20 absconded defendants. All the courts have something to say about your office.”
The judge said lawyers should be concerned with their credibility, adding: “It is your credibility that will stand you in good stead.”
But, Mrs Ogunleye said she did not know why her client failed to turn up, adding that she was unable to reach him.
“I don’t know why he’s not in court. Sincerely, we don’t tell them not to come to court,” she said.
Another defence counsel, Chief Benson Ndakara, said his client was absent because she had a surgery “as a result of breast cancer.”
He exhibited a letter from the Federal Medical Centre authenticating his claim.
The judge told Ndakara: “Out of 1,000 cases missing, you brought a letter from one. You have tried.”
Justice Olatoregun-Ishola convicted Ikechukwu Ojukwu, who pleaded guilty to dealing in cannabis sativa.
After a review of the case by NDLEA counsel Mr Jerry Aernan, the convict pleaded with the judge for mercy.
“I find you guilty as charged and I convict you. I have mercy on you, but the law has no mercy on convicts,” she said.
Although the offence attracts a life sentence, Justice Olatoregun-Ishola sentenced Ojukwu to five years imprisonment with a N5million fine option.
20 drug suspects jump bail, says judge
