Four members of staff of the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) have been sent to Kuje Prison by Justice Okon Abang.
They were remanded after they pleaded not guilty to a charge of aiding and abetting the exportation of 144 kgs of ephedrine to Mozambique.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) filed the charge against the officials after a failed attempt to export the drug to Maputo, Mozambique at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) Abuja.
The Chief Security Supervisor of NAHCO, Audu Garba, two security assistants, Nasiru Ibrahim and Haruna Abdullahi, and a load controller, Victor Ahenje who is at large were arraigned before Justice Abang but they all pleaded not guilty.
The case was however adjourned till 9 January next year for hearing.
All the accused will remain in custody till then, thereby spending the yuletide in jail.
According to the charge, the said NAHCO staff who were in charge of cargo safety and security conspired with suspected drug trafficking syndicate in swapping already screened consignments by security agencies at the airport with similar packages that contained narcotics.
The agency stated that the illicit action of the group was uncovered following an intelligence report.
In the course of investigation, the agency extended its search by inviting a number of airport officials suspected to be involved in the incident for interrogation.
While others were cleared, five staff of NAHCO including a load controller who is at large were found to be seriously indicted.
These staff were reportedy deliberately working to undermine security measures at the airport by swapping already screened cargoes with similar consignment that had been stuffed with narcotics.
The Chief Security Supervisor, Audu Garba was also identified as the suspected mastermind of this high level conspiracy.
Others are two security assistants, Nasiru Ibrahim and Haruna Abdullahi, a driver, Adamu Dasura as well as a load controller, Victor Ahenje who is at large.
It was disclosed that the defendants were taking undue advantage of their position and privilege by deploying the official vehicle of NAHCO in the said act of sabotage.
Furthermore, the shipment of 144kgs of ephedrine concealed among hair relaxers and cereals was swapped with a similar package that was screened by all security operatives. Unfortunately for the suspects, what appeared to be a discreet plot to unlawfully export narcotics to Mozambique through an Ethiopian airline flight was promptly nipped in the bud by the NDLEA.
Abuja airport commander of the NDLEA, Hamisu Lawan said that the management of NAHCO at the Abuja airport is cooperating with investigation.
“This is a case of outright swapping of already screened cargoes with similar bags. Our team of investigators have made significant progress in the case and so far the management of NAHCO is cooperating with the Agency. Those being interrogated include the Chief Security Supervisor, Audu Garba and 3 others in the security department” Hamisu stated.
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