A Federal High Court in Lagos on Friday refused bail to five persons, including two foreigners, accused of importing about 450.4kg of cocaine worth N4.2 billion into Nigeria.
The accused -- Wang Richard (a Chinese), Fong Chiu Sen ( Taiwanese) and three Nigerians, Inua Mohammed, Ezeala Kingsley and Godswill Asomugha -- applied for bail on July 30.
Their counsel, Benson Ndakara, had argued that the alleged offence was not a capital offence.
Ndakara submitted that Section 112 (2) of the Criminal Act provided that persons charged with non-capital offences could be granted bail.
He added that the section did not discriminate against foreigners charged with criminal offences under Nigerian law.
The prosecution counsel, Femi Oloruntoba, however, urged the court to refuse the application, saying that the accused persons might jump bail.
In his ruling, Justice Okon Abang held It is entirely at the discretion of the court to grant or refuse a bail application, I, therefore, refuse the bail application on the grounds that the substantive trial had been given accelerated hearing, and considering the nature of the offence, the trial will be concluded in the next 30 days.
He noted that the trial had attracted international attention.
He, however, urged the accused not to nurse any fear, saying that the court would depend solely on admissible evidence and not sentiments.
Abang consequently adjourned the case till Oct. 18 for continuation of trial.
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