The Indian national (right) and his co-conspirator when they were arrested
Justice Musa Kakaki of a Federal High Court, Lagos, has remanded an Indian national, Gupta Ravi Kuma, for alleged smuggle of prohibited anagelsic, tramadol.
Justice Kakaki ordered the remand of the Indian national, after admitted him and his alleged co-conspirator, Ajewole Ayo Joel, to bail on the drug trafficking allegations made against him by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The dou of Kuma and Ajewole were arraigned before the court in November 10, 2025, on a four count-charge of conspiracy and unlawful importation of 1, 610.40 Kilogrames of Tapentadol 200mg and 225 mg, a brand of prohibited anagelsic, tramadol.
They were also accused of procuring one Ogunlana Akeem of Akman Global and logistics, said to be at large to smuggle the prohibited anagelsic to the country.
The offences according to the prosecutor, Barrister Abu Ibrahim, a Commander of Narcotics and head of Legal/Prosecution department of NDLEA Airport command, contravened sections 14(b), 21(2)(d) and 11(a) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap. 30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
They have both plea not guilty to the charges, when they were arraigned.
Following their not guilty plea, both the prosecutor, Barrister Abu Ibrahim and Chief Benson Ndakara and Tunde Adeoye (SAN), both for the two defendants, argued the defendants bail arguments.
The judge consequently ordered the remanded the defendants in NDLEA’s custody, while adjourned for ruling on their bail applications.
Ruling on the bail applications in Friday, Justice Kakaki, admitted the two defendants to bail in the sum of N100 million with two sureties in like sum. Adding that the two sureties must have landed properties worth N100 million and have three years tax payment.
The judge also ordered the two defendants to deposit their international passport with the court’s Registrar and that they must not travel our of the country during the pendency of the charge.
The judge will adjourning the matter to February 4, 2026, for the trial of the defendants, ordered that the Indian national be remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Services NCoS pending the determination of the charge.
The judge, however released the other defendant, Ajewole Ayo Joel, to his counsel for two weeks to meet the bail conditions. But ordered that he should be remanded at the NCos’ facility if he failed to meet the bail terms.
Charges Against The defendants read: “that you Gupta Ravi Kumai and Ajewole Ayo Joel both Male, Adults on or about the 11th day of September 2025, conspired with one Sumit Rekhit of Flexi World Logistics, Gurugram, India to import a consignment of 799.10 kilograms of Tapentadol Royal of Tramadol, a Narcotic Analgesic similar to Cocaine, LSD, Heroin with waybill number 071-58733792 and you thereby committed an act which is an offence contrary to and Punishable under section 14{b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap 30, Laws of the federation of Nigeria, 2004.
“That you Gupta Ravi Kumar and Ajewole Ayo Joel both Male, Adults on or about the month of September 2025 conspired with one Sumit Rekhit of Flexi World Logistics, Gurugram, india to import a consignment of 811.30 kilograms of Tapentadol Super Royal 20 mg, a brand of Tramadol, a Narcotic Analgesic similar to Cocaine, LSD, Heroin von Airway Bill No. 071-58233792 and you thereby committed an act which is an offence contrary to and punishable under section 14(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
“That you, Gupta Ravi Kumar and Ajewole Ayo Joel, both male adults, on or about the 11th of September 2025, during the examination of cargoes on an Ethiopian Airline flight from India to Nigeria, at Skyway Handling Company (SAHCO) Import Shed, a Customs Area/Point of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, without lawful authority, imported a consignment of 779.10 kilograms of Tapentadol Royal 225mg, a brand of Tramadol, a narcotic analgesic similar to cocaine, LSD, and heroin, with Airway Bill No. 071-58233792, and thereby committed an act which is an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 11(a) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
“That you Gapta Ravi Kuma and Ajewole Ayo Joel, both male and adult on about 11th day of September, 2025, during the examination of cargos on Ethiopia airline flight from India to Nigeria, at Skyway Handling Company (SAHCO) import shed, a customs area/point at the Murtala Muhammad International Airport Ikeja Lagos, procured one Ogunlana Akeem of Akman Global and logistics (now at large) to import a consignment of 811. 30 Kilograms of tapentadol super royal, a brand of Tramadol, a narcotic anagelsic similar to Cocaine heroin and LSD with airway bill No. 071-58332792 and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under under Section 21(2)(d) of the of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.
“That you Gapta Ravi Kuma and Ajewole Ayo Joel, both male and adult on about 11 day of September, 2025, during the examination of cargos on Ethiopia airline flight from India to Nigeria, at Skyway Handling Company (SAHCO) import shed, a customs area/point at the Murtala Muhammad International Airport Ikeja Lagos, procured on without lawful authority imported a consignment of 779.20 kilograms. of Tapentadol Royal 225mg, a brand of tramadol, a narcotic anagelsic similar to Cocaine, heroin and LSD, with airway bill no. 071-58332792, and you are hereby committed an offence contrary to and Punishable under section 11(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.
“That you Gapta Ravi Kuma and Ajewole Ayo Joel, both male and adult, on about 11th day of September, 2025, during the examination of cargos on Ethiopia airline flight from India to Nigeria, at Skyway Handling Company (SAHCO) import shed, a customs area/point at the Murtala Muhammad International Airport Ikeja Lagos, procured on without lawful authority imported a consignment of 811.30 kilograms of Tapentadal Super Royal 200mg, a brand tramadol, a Narcotic Analgesic similar to Cocaine, LSD, Heroin with Airway Bill No. -58233792 and you thereby committed an act which is an offence contrary to and punishable under section 11{a) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap. 30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.”
