NDLEA arraigned drug Lord Chef Charbel Chalouhi, remanded in custody

By Michael Ojo/Associate Editor/ A Lebanese Charbel Chalouhi who was arrested with cocaine when member of National Drug Law enforcement Agency NDLEA around Victoria Island, Lagos was on Thursday arraigned before justice Ayo Emannuel of Federal high court Lagos.

Counsel to NDLEA Jeremiah In Aenean told the court that the defendants was arresited with cocaine on the 12 of September, 2018.

The one count charge no FHC/L/327c/18. reads: that you CHARBEL CHALOUHI male, adult 34 years old on or about 10th day of September, 2018, at No 18, flat 83, Simon Akinololu street, Victoria Island Lagos state within the jurisdiction of this honourable court without lawful authority engage in the use of 1.2 gramme of cocaine a narcotic drug, thereby committed an offence contraryto and punishable under section 11(d) of National Drug Law enforcement Agency Act, Cap N30, laws of the federation of Nigeria, 2004.

Chalouhi pleaded not guilty to the charge

But his counsel Chief Benson Ndakara vow to take it up with the management of NDLEA as to why his client should be charge to court with a gramme that below the prosecuting threshold of NDLEA which is 5 grams and above.

He pleaded with the court to adopt the same terms and conditions of administrative bail granted by NDLEA to his client base on health ground.

Justice Emannuel however imposed fresh conditions that he should provide two surties with a verifiable affidavit of means.

The judge equally that two Lebanese consulate to stand for him on the recommendation of consulate general of Lebanese embassy.

The trial judge ordered that Chalouhi be remanded in NDLEA custody till when the bail conditions will be met and adjourned trial to 15th of November, 2018.