Alleged drug baron linked to Abba Kyari sues NDLEA
A businessman alleged to have imported Tramadol tablets worth billions of naira has sued the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for infringing on his right.
The suspect, Ukatu Afamefuna Mallinson, who is currently under detention and investigation, filed the suit at the Federal High Court.
TheCornet had reported Ukatu’s arrest by the NDLEA, which accused him of importing 1,284 cartons of Tramadol, worth N22 billion in 2019, and another shipment valued at N3 billion.
The anti-drug agency had claimed that under trial senior police officer Abba Kyari and his collaborators had failed to declare the seizure of cartoons of drug from a warehouse belonging to Ukatu.
In his suit, Ukatu said the NDLEA had failed to arraign, since his arrest, despite being in proximity of the court.
He prayed the court to order his release from detention and also to prevent his re-arrest. Ukatu avers that his continued detention is a breach of his fundamental rights to liberty and freedom, as enshrined in Section 35 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), among other laws.
He also asked for an apology from the NDLEA for his ‘unlawful detention’, which is to be published in three national dailies, and the payment of N200 million as damages.
Ukatu is the Managing Director of many companies, including Mallinson & Partners Ltd.
