NDLEA Arraigns Clearing Agent Over Alleged Illegal Cocaine Export To UK

Agoro Tajudeen Moninuola, when he was Nabbed

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arraigned a clearing agent, Agoro Tajudeen Moninuola, before a Federal High Court, Lagos, over the alleged illegal exportation of 2.80 kilograms of cocaine from Lagos to the United Kingdom (UK), through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja.

NDLEA alleged that the defendant conspired with the duo of Azeez Nurudeen and Nuru (both currently at large), to traffic the narcotic substance abroad in April 2026.

The prosecutor, Barrister Arit N. Okon alleged that the defendant and others now coordinated the illegal shipment through the SAHCO Export Shed located within the customs area of the international airport, Ikeja, Lagos.

The prosecutor told the court that the cocaine consignment was intercepted during outward examination procedures before it could be exported to the United Kingdom.

The prosecutor also informed the court that the defendant unlawfully procured the services of Ama Obinna Ufiem of Amirotex Global Nigeria Limited and Adebayo Ayomide Stephen of STG World Cargo Logistics to facilitate the exportation of the illicit drug. 

She told the court that the alleged illegal acts of the defendant contravened Sections 14(b),  21(2)(d) and 11(b), and punishable under Section 11(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004. of the NDLEA Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

The defendant denied the offences and pleaded not guilty to the three counts charge made against him by the NDLEA. 

Based on his not guilty plea, the prosecutor prayed the court to remand him in the custody pending trial, while also asked the court cor a trial date.

But lawyer to the clearing agent, Chief Benson Ndakara, informed the court that he had filed his client’s bail application and that same has been served on the prosecutor.

He therefore prayed the court to allow him move the bail application and grant his request.

The prosecutor, Barrister Okon, admitted being served with the bail application and replied that she has equally filed an eight paragraph counter affidavit. She prayed the court to rule in agency’s favour.

Ruling on the bail application, Justice Daniel Osiagor, after citing plethoras of authorities, ruled in favour of the defendant. 

The judge thereafter admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N10 million with one surety in like sum, and with other conditions. While adjourned the matter to October 28, 2026, for commencement of trial.

Charges against the clearing agent reads: “that you, Agoro Tajudeen Moninuola, Male, Adult sometime in April 2026, conspired with one Azeez Nurudeen (Now at Large) and Nuru (Now at Large) to export 2.80 kilograms of Cocaine, a narcotic drug. from Lagos, Nigeria to the United Kingdom and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 14(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

“That you, Agoro Tajudeen Moninuola, Male, Adult on or about the 9th day of April, 2026, at the SAHCO Export Shed, a customs area of Muritala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos during the outward examination of consignments to the United Kingdom without lawful authority procured Ama Obinna Ufiem of Amirotex Global Nigeria Limited and Adebayo Ayomide Stephen of STG World Cargo Logistics to export 2.80 Kilograms of Cocaine, a narcotic drug and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 21 (2)(d) and punishable under Section 11(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

“That you, Agoro Tajudeen Moninuola, Male, Adult on or about the 9th day of April, 2026, at the SAHCO Export Shed, a customs area of Muritala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos during the outward examination of consignments to the United Kingdom without lawful authority exported 2.80 Kilograms of Cocaine, a narcotic drug and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 11(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.”