A Nigerian trader who was arrested by security personnel at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) for possessing 28 cello-taped balls of whitish substance suspected to be narcotic drugs on Thursday appeared before the Osu Community Tribunal charged with possessing and exporting narcotic drugs.

The tribunal chaired by Mrs Ivy Heward-Mills did not take the plea of Ude Kalu Oleka, who was remanded to reappear on June 21.

Chief Inspector Margaret Awuni said during a routine search on June 10 on the body of the accused and his luggage, the cello-taped whitish substance was found concealed in a pair of white socks in a carrier bag.

The prosecution said when the accused was interrogated he disclosed that one Emeka, another Nigerian, gave him the substance after buying him an air ticket to travel to London.

The accused said Emeka did not tell him of the content of the parcel but gave him his telephone number to contact him when he arrived in London, the prosecution said.

Police are still investigating.