Arraignment of Indian Woman, Neetu Arrested with Heroin at Kano Airport Stalled Due to Lack of Interpreter
The scheduled arraignment of a 42-year-old Indian national, Neetu Neetu, was delayed on Wednesday due to her inability to understand English and the absence of a court-appointed interpreter.
Neetu was arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport after being found in possession of a large quantity of heroin disguised as chocolates.
According to NDLEA officials, the suspect arrived in Nigeria on Friday, March 14, 2025, aboard Qatar Airways flight QR1431, which originated from Bangkok, Thailand, and transited through Vietnam and Doha.
Upon routine inspection of her luggage, officers discovered 72 parcels of heroin, collectively weighing approximately 11 kilograms. The drugs had been carefully sealed and packaged to resemble commercially branded chocolate products, in an apparent attempt to evade detection.
During the court proceedings at the Federal High Court in Kano, the defendant’s counsel, B.Y. Gambo, informed the presiding judge, Justice Simon Amobeda, that his client does not understand English and is therefore unable to comprehend the charges or proceedings against her. He urged the court to direct the prosecution to arrange for an interpreter to ensure that her legal rights are upheld.
In response, NDLEA’s counsel, Umar Hussaini, acknowledged the challenge, explaining that the agency’s interpretation unit is currently non-operational. He added that, as a foreign national, the defendant is being treated with the highest standards of care and professionalism while in custody.
Justice Amobeda, in his ruling, emphasized the necessity of fair trial standards and ordered the prosecution to formally apply to the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Indian High Commission to secure the services of a qualified interpreter. He stressed that the defendant cannot be properly arraigned without being able to understand the language of the court.
The case was subsequently adjourned to June 4, 2025, by which time it is expected that an interpreter will be available to facilitate the arraignment process.
Meanwhile, Neetu Neetu will remain in the custody of the NDLEA pending the continuation of legal proceedings.