Prophet Adefolusho Aanu Osasele, the General Overseer of The Turn of Mercy Church on Okun Ajah, Ogombo Road, Lekki, Lagos, has been remanded in custody by a Federal High Court in Lagos following his arraignment on allegations of unlawful drug trafficking.
Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa issued the remand order on Thursday after the cleric, widely known as Abbas Ajakaiye, pleaded not guilty to a single-count charge of trafficking 900 kilograms of ‘Ghana Loud,’ a potent strain of Cannabis Sativa.
In court, the counsel for the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), M. I. Erondu, stated that Prophet Osasele was arrested on August 3, 2024, at Ajah, Lagos, in connection with the illegal substance.
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The NDLEA explained that the cleric’s alleged actions violated Section 11(c) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, Cap N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, and carry corresponding penalties under the law.
According to Nigerian Tribune, the charge, filed under FHC/L/682c/2025, specifically accused Osasele, alias Abbas Ajakaiye, of unlawfully dealing in 900 kilograms of Ghana Loud, a strain of Cannabis Sativa, classified as a narcotic drug akin to cocaine, heroin, and LSD.
Following his not guilty plea, the prosecution requested that a trial date be scheduled and urged the court to remand him in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS) pending trial.
Defending the cleric, lawyer Mimido Nyiew informed the court that a bail application had been filed and duly served on the prosecution.
After hearing arguments on the bail request, Justice Lewis-Allagoa granted Prophet Osasele bail set at N50 million with one surety of equal value. The court imposed stringent conditions, requiring the surety to swear an affidavit of means and provide verifiable proof of ownership of landed property within the court’s jurisdiction.
Despite the bail being granted, the judge ordered that Prophet Osasele remain in NCoS custody until the bail conditions are fully met.
The case has been adjourned to November 18, 2025, for trial.
