Magistrate Adeola Olatunbosun issued an order on Wednesday for the detention of five men who were brought before the Yaba Magistrates’ Court. These individuals were charged with being in possession of Indian hemp and two bags containing counterfeit foreign currencies. The detention is to be upheld until legal guidance is received from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions.

The accused individuals, namely Francis Omwukei (26), Kingsley Ude (33), Umar Idris (37), Eyo (27), and Bright Ahamefula (26), face a two-count charge involving the possession of Indian hemp as well as fake foreign currencies - specifically, Pounds Sterling and US dollars.

The court was informed by the prosecutor, Rita Momoh, that the defendants were apprehended on August 9, 2023, in White Sand, Ijora, Lagos State. Rita Momoh further revealed that the defendants were caught in the act of publicly displaying substances suspected to be Indian hemp, an act that had the potential to disrupt peace.

She appended that the transgression is in violation of and subject to penalties as outlined in Sections 329 and 442 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, Nigeria.

The indictment stated, "That on August 9, 2023, at White Sand, Ijora, within the jurisdiction of the Lagos State Magisterial District, you, Francis Omwukei, Kingsley Ude, Umar Idris, Eyo, and Bright Ahamefula, were found to be in possession of suspected Indian hemp leaves as well as two bags containing counterfeit US Dollar currency and pounds sterling currency. This act is in contravention of and punishable under Section 329 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015."

Nevertheless, the accused individuals entered pleas of not guilty in response to the charges.

In the absence of a remand warrant, the magistrate directed that the defendants be held in police custody for a duration of seven days. During this time, the police are to prepare and forward the case file to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal counsel.

Magistrate Olatunbosun scheduled the next hearing for August 23, 2023, to await the advice from the DPP.