Female Pharmacist Risks Jail Term for Allegedly Selling Cocaine as Analgesic

Gom Mirian

A female pharmacist, Helen Ikwebe Ori, has been arrested and charged to court for allegedly selling cocaine to unsuspecting buyers in Lagos State, according to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

According to reports, Ori, who worked for a popular pharmacy in Lagos, sold cocaine to customers under the guise of analgesic drugs. It was said that she had been carrying out this illegal business for some time before finally getting caught.

The defendant, according to the NDLEA prosecutor, Mr. Abu Ibrahim, obtained one Agadi Sunday on June 1, 2023, to transport the illegal drugs from Maiven Medics International Ltd, a pharmaceutical company in Lagos, to Murtala Muhammed Domestic Airport, Ikeja-Lagos, on the way to Kaduna City in Kaduna State.

He said: “The defendant was arrested on 8th June 2023, with the banned analgesic when she wanted to ferry same to Kaduna State, via Murtala Muhammed Domestic Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.

“The offences committed by the pharmacist, contravened Sections 21 (2)(d) and 20 (1)(a) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and punishable under Section 11(b) of the said Act and the alleged offence attracts several years of imprisonment.”

However, the defendant pleaded not guilty.

The defendant’s Counsel, Mr Dennis Warri, argued with the prosecutor, Mr Ibrahim, on the bail application before the Court eventually ruled on the matter.

Justice Nicholas Oweibo, having listened to their arguments, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N5 million, with one surety in like sum, who must show evidence of means of livelihood.

The Court also directed that the surety must be a resident within the jurisdiction of the Court and that the bail terms must be verified by the Court’s Registrar.

The matter was adjourned till 20th September 2023, for trial while the defendant was remanded in custody pending when she will perfect her bail conditions.