Tramadol : Industrialist, Mallison Ukatu regains freedom

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An industrialist, Mr. Afamefuna Mallison Ukatu, the Managing Director /CEO of Mallison and Partners, who has been in detention since April 13th, 2022 has finally regained freedom.

Ukatu regained freedom weekend after meeting the bail condition granted him By Hon. Justice Lifu of the federal high court sitting in Lagos.

Confirming the development in a telephone chat with Reporters Diary ,  lead counsel to the business mogul, Victor Opara (SAN) praised the leadership of NDLEA for obeying the court directive granting Ukatu bail, saying that by this action the drug law agency has prove it’s a law abiding organisation.

According to him; “Around 4:00pm on Friday, Mallinson Ukatu, my client regained freedom. Recall that he was rearrested and detained after being granted bail by the Federal High Court, but the NDLEA kept him.

“We applied to the NDLEA Chairman for bail on behalf of our client listing  a legion of reasons why he should be released having been admitted previously to bail by the Federal High Court, Lagos. We also politely and constructively engaged NDLEA and assured the NDLEA that Mallison Ukatu is not a flight risk and will attend court and face trial. The NDLEA Chairman Brigadier Mohammed Buba Marwa, reviewed our application and was favourably disposed to same. He consequently directed that my client be admitted to NDLEA administrative bail. I commend and salute this exemplary display of effective leadership initiative. It is truly worthy of commendation.

“We must thank the Chairman of NDLEA for considering our application and towing the path of justice and respect for human right. This is to say that NDLEA is a very responsible organization and also being headed by a responsible and diligent Chairman. I have confirmed to you that Mallinson has been released and has reunited with his family, and there is a lot of happiness going on in the family at the moment,” the Legal Luminary noted.”

Concerning the recent news of 103 accounts and N20b allegedly frozen, Opara stated, “I have not seen any court order to that effect. I am not aware of N20 billion being frozen, but I am aware that some of his account have been restricted for the cause of NDLEA usual investigation. I don’t know anything about this N20 billion and the 103 accounts. I have not been served with any court process, but as event unfolds, we shall find out the source of the information. But I can tell you authoritatively that no such order has been served.”

When contacted, Mrs. Chinelo Ukatu, the wife of the detained businessman, confirmed the release, declined us speaking with Mallinson, stating that he is not feeling too strong, having been incarcerated for 200 days that he needs rest and comprehensive medical check.

She however confirmed he was released on bail from NDLEA detention camp on Friday 28, October 2022 by 4:00pm.

She noted that the husband has reunited with the family, thanking God for the release of her husband after six months in detention.

Recall that Mallinson has been in detention since April 13th, 2022. He was later arraigned at the Lagos Judicial Division of the Federal High Court of Nigeria on a three count charge of unlawful trafficking in 322 Kilograms of Tramadol in a Charge No: FHC/L/159C/2021.

He was granted bail by Honorable Justice Lifu on the 22nd of July 2022 who orders Mallison to be detained at Ikoyi correctional centre until his bail perfection. It was subsequently perfected on the 12th of October 2022 and subsequently released from the correctional centre by the court before NDLEA re-arrested him at the court premises.

Credit: Reporters diary

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A group of seasoned crime reporters drawn from reputable media organisations in Nigeria. To help in creating a friendly Nigerian Police Force that meets the yearnings and aspirations of the citizens towards policing and security of lives and properties. To showcase the positive sides of the Force, as well as celebrating the great feat of police personnel, who have shown uncommon courage in the discharge of his / her responsibility. In the same vein, through objective ratiocination, identify the areas of shortcomings for corrections. We welcome you on board on this journey to build an enviable Nigeria Police Force by actively playing the role of a watch dog. Watch out for crime stories and other security titbits.
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