The Federal High Court in Kano has adjourned the arraignment of 42-year-old Indian national, Ms. Neetu Neetu, on drug trafficking charges due to the absence of a language interpreter.
During Tuesday's proceedings, Justice Simon Amobeda was informed by the defendant's counsel, B.Y. Gambo, that his client neither understands nor speaks English, making it impossible to proceed without interpretation support.
Gambo argued that providing an interpreter is the responsibility of the prosecution, not the defendant. He emphasized that he could no longer bear the cost of hiring an interpreter in foreign currency.
In response, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) counsel Umar Hussain accused the defence of attempting to delay the legal process. Hussain suggested that the defendant should continue with existing communication methods to avoid disrupting the trial.
Justice Amobeda overruled the NDLEA counsel's objection, affirming that it is indeed the prosecution's duty to ensure the presence of an interpreter in cases involving non-English-speaking defendants.
"Until an interpreter is secured to bridge the language barrier, the court cannot proceed with the arraignment," the judge ruled.
The case has been adjourned to June 4, 2025, pending the provision of an interpreter. The court also ordered that Ms. Neetu remain in NDLEA custody until the next hearing date.
Background of the Case
Ms. Neetu was arrested by the NDLEA on March 14, 2025, at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport. According to the agency, she was found in possession of 72 factory-sealed parcels of heroin, concealed in chocolate-style wafer wraps and weighing a total of 11 kilograms.
The suspect had arrived on Qatar Airways flight QR1431 from Bangkok, Thailand, via Vietnam and Doha, and was intercepted based on credible intelligence provided to the NDLEA.
The case highlights ongoing challenges in Nigeria's legal system when dealing with international drug trafficking suspects, particularly those who do not speak English, the country's official language.
