In a courtroom session held on Wednesday, Magistrate Adeola Olatunbosun issued an order for the continued detention of five individuals who stand accused of possessing illicit substances and counterfeit foreign currencies. The suspects, identified as Francis Omwukei (26), Kingsley Ude (33), Umar Idris (37), Eyo (27), and Bright Ahamefula (26), were presented before the Yaba Magistrates’ Court facing a two-count indictment involving the possession of Indian hemp and counterfeit Pounds Sterling and US dollars.The court proceedings, led by Prosecutor Rita Momoh, revealed that the suspects were apprehended on August 9, 2023, in White Sand, Ijora, Lagos State. The defendants were allegedly found in possession of substances suspected to be Indian hemp, which they were reportedly displaying in public, an act with the potential to disturb the peace.Momoh asserted that the charges leveled against the accused parties are in direct violation of Sections 329 and 442 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, stipulating that the offense carries legal consequences.Quoting from the charge, “On August 9, 2023, at White Sand, Ijora, Lagos, in the jurisdiction of the Lagos State Magisterial District, Francis Omwukei, Kingsley Ude, Umar Idris, Eyo, and Bright Ahamefula unlawfully had in their possession leaves suspected to be Indian hemp, along with two bags containing counterfeit US Dollar currency and Pounds Sterling currency. This action is in violation of Section 329 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.”During the arraignment, the defendants entered pleas of not guilty in response to the charges. Magistrate Adeola Olatunbosun, in the absence of a remand warrant, ordered the suspects to be remanded in police custody for a period of seven days. He further directed that the police compile the case file and forward it to the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) for legal counsel.The case has been adjourned to August 23, 2023, awaiting the DPP’s advisory, marking the next step in the ongoing legal process.