Trial of Mexicans over drug lab stalled for lack of interpreter

The trial of four Mexicans and five Nigerians over the operation of a methamphetamine laboratory was stalled at the Federal High Court, Asaba, Delta State on Friday for lack of a suitable interpreter.

According to a statement by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, during the April 25 arraignment of the accused before Justice A.O. Faji, the first interpreter produced by the agency was rejected by the defence on the grounds of bias.
Now, the second interpreter has been rejected on the grounds that he would not be available to the end of the trial because his residence permit would expire in October.

The statement by the agency’s spokesperson, Mr. Mitchell Ofoyeju, said, “NDLEA had produced Mr. Miguel Gutierrez, a Colombian whose mother tongue is Spanish to serve as interpreter for the trial. The prosecuting lawyer, Mr. Lambert Nor, told the court that since the first interpreter was rejected, the agency in the circumstance worked hard to produce another one, who was acceptable to the defence counsel so as not to delay trial but the defence suddenly rejected the interpreter in court today on grounds of continuity.”

Nor told the court, “There is no guarantee that any interpreter who begins a trial will end it because only God can determine that. If this interpreter is accepted, the agency will produce another one to continue with the case in October if his residence permit is not renewed.”

The defence lawyer, Mr. Benson Ndakara, said that although he had initially accepted the interpreter, he would rather prefer an interpreter that would be around till the end of the trial because the residence permit of the new interpreter will expire in October.

Justice Faji held that things should be done in a way that the trial is not truncated stressing that there is need for continuity throughout the trial. He then adjourned the case till June 7, 2016 and advised that both lawyers clear areas of disagreement to allow for speedy trial of the case.

The nine accused are being prosecuted over conspiracy to form and operate a drug trafficking organisation to process and export methamphetamine. They were also accused of illegal extraction of ephedrine, preparation of methamphetamine and unlawful possession of 1.5kg of methamphetamine; a drug similar to cocaine, heroin and LSD contrary to NDLEA Act, Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

The accused are, Anthony Chukwuemeka Umolu a.k.a. OnwaObosi, Chief Chibi Aruh, Izuchukwu Anieto, Cervantes Madrid Jose Bruno, Rivas Ruiz Pasiano, Castillo Barraza Cristobal, Partida Gonzalez Pedro, William Ejike Agusi and Augustine Kosisochukwu Umolu.