The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Drug trafficking

  • Hajj: Board warns Kwara pilgrims against drug trafficking

    The Kwara Pilgrims   Welfare Board has warned intending pilgrims for the 2017 Hajj from Kaiama and Baruten Local Government Areas of Kwara against engaging in drug trafficking while in Saudi Arabia.

    The Executive Secretary of the board, Alhaji Mohammed Tunde-Jimoh, gave the warning while addressing intending pilgrims from the two local government in Kaiama, headquarters of Kaiama Local Government Area of the state.

    Tunde-Jimoh also urged the intending pilgrims to shun other negative tendencies capable of bringing the name of the state into disrepute while in the holy land.

    “You should be good ambassadors of Kwara right from your domain here while shunning acts inimical to our state of harmony,’’   he said.

    He assured the pilgrims that decent accommodation had been arranged for them in Makkah and Medinnah for their comfort.

    The scribe, however, warned pilgrims against paying the balance of their Hajj fares to any agent, stressing that the board had not designated any individual or group to collect fares.

    Tunde-Jimoh had earlier paid a courtesy call on the Emir of Kaiama, Alhaji Muazu Shehu-Omar, who expressed delight that the board brought the sensitisation programme to his domain for the first time.

    The monarch said the action of the board had given the people of Kwara North Senatorial District a sense of  belonging.

    A total of 2,168  pilgrims and 20 officials are involved in this year’s  Hajj exercise  from Kwara.

  • Woman forfeits nine properties for drug trafficking

    •Accomplice arraigned

    The Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the temporary forfeiture of nine landed properties belonging to a businesswoman, Mrs. Funmilola Ogbuaya, to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

    The order followed an application by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

    Ogbuaya, said to be at large, was accused of acquiring the properties through drug trafficking.

    The properties are: 146, Idimu Road, Alimosho, 235, Ikotun-Idimu Road, Ikotun, 18, Olayiwola Shittu Street, Abaranje, Ikotun, 3B, Ladipo Kuku, Off Allen Avenue, Ikeja,  8, Olufemi Avenue, Omiasoro, Ilesa, Ilesa East LGA, Osun State, 6, Hakeem-One, Momoh Close, Governor’s Road, Ikotun, a plot of land at Council area, Cele Bus stop, Idimu-Ikotun, and a plot of land along Papalanto-Shagamu Road, Omu-Penpe Village, Obafemi-Owode LGA in Ogun State.

    NDLEA’s counsel Abu Ibrahim, moving the motion before Justice Hadiza Shagari, said Ogbuaya, also known as Ariket and Funmilola Ogundipe, was being investigated for offences of conspiracy to traffic in narcotic drugs, drug trafficking, and money laundering.

    Justice Shagari ordered the temporary forfeiture and sealing off of the properties.

    She ordered the prison remand of Mrs. Morayo Odeyemi (57), who allegedly conspired with Ogbuaya to commit the alleged crimes.

    Oduyemi was arraigned on three counts of conspiracy, attempt to unlawfully export 1.595 kilogrammes of cocaine to Saudi Arabia, and unlawful dealing in banned narcotic.

    NDLEA said she was arrested on February 23 at the Murtala Muhammad International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, during outward clearance of passengers on Egypt Air flight to Saudi Arabia, at the Egypt Air check-in-counter.

    The alleged offence is contrary to and punishable under sections 14(b), 11(b) and 19 of the NDLEA Act Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

    Oduyemi pleaded not guilty.

    Justice Shagari adjourned till Friday for ruling on her bail application.

  • Two grandmothers held with cocaine at Lagos Airport

    Two grandmothers held with cocaine at Lagos Airport

    Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have foiled attempts by two grandmothers to unlawfully export narcotic drugs to New York, United States and Medina, Saudi Arabia.

    The suspects allegedly ingested 108 wraps of substances that tested positive for heroin and cocaine during outward screening of passengers at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos.

    60-year-old Adebayo Ebunoluwa Mercy ingested 83 wraps of heroin weighing 1.105kg on her way to the United States.

    AmoduAyisat Grace, 59, also ingested 25 wraps of cocaine weighing 275 grammes on her way to Saudi Arabia.

    They blamed their involvement in drug trafficking on financial hardship.

    NDLEA preliminary investigation revealed it is the first time a grandmother of 60 years will ingest a whopping 83 wraps of narcotics.

    The second suspect was going to Saudi Arabia where drug trafficking attracts capital punishment.

    Her timely arrest saved her from the ordeals of painful and ignoble death in a foreign country.

    NDLEA commander at the Lagos airport, Ahmadu Garba, said: “Adebayo Ebunoluwa Mercy was arrested while boarding a Virgin Atlantic flight to New York while Amodu Grace was caught trying to board an Ethiopian airline flight on her way to Medina, Saudi Arabia. The cases are under investigation”.

    Adebayo, who sells provision at Ikorodu, Lagos said drug trafficking was an afterthought.

    “I am a divorcee selling provision for survival. Things became rough and tough for me when I lost my capital due to family problems.

    “It has been my dream to travel to the United States in search of greener pastures.

    “My involvement in drug trafficking was an afterthought. My intention when I got my visa last year was to go and work to take care of my needs without being a burden to anyone. Everything changed suddenly when I met an old friend at a party.

    “They took care of my travel expenses and gave me $3,000 with a promise to assist me secure a job in the United States.

    “It was few hours to my journey that they brought the drugs for me to swallow.

    “They said that it was my contribution for the kindness and money spent on my trip but it turned out to be my biggest mistake,” the indigene of Kogi State said.

    Amodu told investigators as a Muslim she was glad to travel to Saudi Arabia but her journey terminated at the NDLEA office.

    “I was happy when they offered to sponsor my trip to Saudi Arabia but I never knew it will end in my detention.

    “I sell fufu (staple food from cassava) to take care of my four children as a widow and this has been very challenging.

    “They enticed me with a visit to Saudi Arabia and a handsome reward and I fell for trick.

    “I only swallowed 25 wraps of the drug. Unfortunately I could not get to Saudi Arabia because of my arrest.”

    NDLEA chairman Col. Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah (retd.) said it is shocking and shameful for grandmothers to be involved in drug trafficking.

    “This move by drug cartels to recruit grandmothers as mules is very disturbing, shocking and shameful.

    “A situation where grandmothers have become a bad influence on their children and grandchildren is highly regrettable,” he stated.

     

  • 364 persons convicted for drug trafficking in Kano

    364 persons convicted for drug trafficking in Kano

    A Federal High Court in Kano State has convicted 364 persons for various drug-related offences.
    Commander of the Anti-narcotic Agency Hamza Umar said the convicts were apprehended within Kano metropolis and its environs, adding that they were investigated and charged to court accordingly.
    He hinted that over 40 tonnes of diverse narcotics were mopped from the street, adding that the seizures and conviction were secured between early 2016 and now.
    Umar attributed the success to collaborations between his command and the people.

  • Truck pusher pleads guilty to drug trafficking

    A truck pusher, Wilson Sunday, has appeared before a Federal High Court in Lagos for drug trafficking.

    Sunday, 27, pleaded guilty to the charge brought against him by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on the offence.

    Following his plea, the Prosecutor, Mr Jeremiah Aernan, prayed the court for a date for review of facts and asked that the accused be remanded in prison pending the review.

    Justice Abdulazeez Anka adjourned the case till January 19 for review, and ordered that the accused be remanded in prison pending the date.

    The accused was said to have committed the offence last May 25.

    The prosecutor said the accused was arrested at the Cele area of Ojo in Lagos, where he sold wraps of Cannabis Sativa also known as Indian hemp.

    According to him, the narcotics recovered from the accused weighed about 1.3 kg.

    He said the Cannabis was classified as a restricted narcotic bearing similar nature with cocaine and heroin LSD.

  • NDLEA arrests China-bound man for drug trafficking

    NDLEA arrests China-bound man for drug trafficking

    Less than two weeks after a Nigerian, 38-year-old Chijioke Obioha ,was executed in Singapore for smuggling 2.6kgs of dried weeds that tested positive for cannabis, officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos have prevented the execution of another 38-year-old man, Augustine Uchenna, from execution in China on drug-related offences.

    The suspect, who sells safety equipment in Lagos, was caught attempting to smuggle 10.275kg of cannabis to China where drug trafficking attracts death penalty.

    The drug was detected during the outward screening of passengers on an Ethiopian Airline flight to China.

    NDLEA commander at the airport, Ahmadu Garba, said that the drug was hidden inside foodstuff like garri, bitter leaf, bitter cola and other spices.

    In his words, “It was a normal search operation during the screening of passengers on an Ethiopian Airline flight to China when 10.275kgs of cannabis was detected inside foodstuff. The owner of the bag was immediately arrested and case is under investigation”.

    During interrogation, the suspect said that he was not aware that drug trafficking is punishable by death in China. “My friend in China promised to pay me six hundred thousand naira to take 10.275kgs of cannabis to China.

    This is my first time of smuggling drugs and I never knew that drug trafficking is punishable by death in China.  I import safety equipment and I have been going to China to buy my goods since 2011. The economic recession affected my business that I find it hard to pay my rent. This was what led me into drug trafficking” he stated. Augustine hails from Enugu State and is married with three children.

    The Chairman and Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Col Muhammad Abdallah (rtd), said that countries with death penalty had been classified as high risk routes.

    In his words: “The agency is taking measures to improve narcotic screening at the airports.

    “All countries with death penalty for drug trafficking and source countries are high risk destinations. Efforts are also ongoing to promote public health and security. It is gratifying that this arrest was made here, thereby preventing the suspect from death penalty in China.

    “Let me use this opportunity to call on stakeholders not to relent in advocacy and drug abuse preventive education. Nigeria is making steady progress in the campaign and I urge you all to remain steadfast”.

  • Nigerian footballer executed in Singapore for drug trafficking

    Nigerian footballer executed in Singapore for drug trafficking

    The Presidency yesterday lamented the execution of a Nigerian footballer, Chijoke Obioha, in Singapore for drug trafficking.

    The 35-year-old footballer was said to have gone to the Asian country for trials when he was caught trafficking in hard drugs on April 9, 2007.

    Consequently, he was sentenced to death about four years ago and remained on the death row until he was executed yesterday.

    Reacting to Obioha’s execution in a statement yesterday, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, described it as heartbreaking, given repeated calls for Nigerians to desist from criminal activities like drug peddling.

    The statement signed by Dabiri-Erewa’s Special Assistant on Media, Abdul-Rahman Balogun, in Abuja said since Singapore is determined to enforce its laws as a deterrent to drug trafficking, which has reduced as a result of its stringent capital punishment, there was not much that could be done except to continue to appeal.

    “While we regret the death sentence passed on the Nigerian, we once again appeal to Nigerians to avoid crimes like drug trafficking with most countries, especially in Asia, declaring zero tolerance for drug trafficking,”, Dabiri-Erewa stated.

    She reiterated her appeal to Nigerians to avoid drug peddling in their host countries as laws of countries, whether acceptable or not, are difficult to influence.

    The late Obioha was said to have been arrested with more than 2.6 kilogrammes of cannabis, surpassing the statutory amount of 500 grammes presumed as drug trafficking in Singapore.

     The Amnesty International had called on Singapore to immediately halt yesterday’s planned execution of Obioha, but Obioha’s family was informed that his appeal for clemency had been rejected.

    Rafendi Djamin, Amnesty International’s Director for South-East Asia and the Pacific, said: “The Singapore government still has time to halt the execution of Chijoke Stephen Obioha.

    “We are dismayed that clemency has not been granted in his case, but remain hopeful that they won’t carry out this cruel and irreversible punishment against a person sentenced to the mandatory death penalty for a crime that should not even be punished by death.

     “Death penalty is never the solution. It will not rid Singapore of drugs.

    “By executing people for drug-related offences, which do not meet the threshold of most serious crimes, Singapore is violating international law.

    “Under Singaporean law, when there is a presumption of drug possession and trafficking, the burden of proof shifts from the prosecutor to the defendant.

    “This violates the right to fair trial by turning the presumption of innocence on its head.

    “Drug-related offences do not meet the threshold of the “most serious crimes” to which the use of the death penalty must be restricted under international law.

    “International law also prohibits the imposition of the death penalty as a mandatory punishment and Amnesty International opposes the use of the death penalty outright, regardless of the crime.”

  • Man, 60, charged with drug trafficking

    A 60-year-old man, Raji Michael Ayoola, who claims to be a pastor, has been arraigned at the Federal High Court in Lagos for attempting to export banned narcotics.

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said he conspired with others to unlawfully export 91 kilogrammes of Methamphetamine, a psychotropic substance, and 83 kilogrammes of Ephedrine, a controlled substance.

    Ayoola was arrested by the agency’s operatives last February 10 while allegedly attempting to export substances to South Africa.

    Prosecution counsel Mr. Abu Ibrahim said the drugs were similar to cocaine and heroine in effect.

    The offence is punishable under Sections 14(b) and 11(b) of the NDLEA Law of 2004.

    Ayoola, a father of six, pleaded not guilty.

    During trial yesterday, a forensic expert, Mr A. Anadianei, said he tested the powdery substances and confirmed they were banned narcotics.

    The prosecution tendered Ayoola’s international and ECOWAS passports, six big bags containing the substances, a certificate of test analysis, all of which were admitted as exhibits.

    Justice Jude Dagat adjourned until November 18 and 24.

  • Stakeholders call for more awareness on illicit drug use

    Stakeholders call for more awareness on illicit drug use

    Some Lagos residents have called for more awareness programmes on illicit drug use and trafficking to reduce their intake and trafficking by the youth.

    The residents, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday, urged National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to create more public awareness on the negative effects of drugs to the society.

    A lawyer, Mr Kayode Ademiluyi, said that NDLEA, as an agency of the government, was doing its best but needed to do more in terms of publicity.

    ”It is not only NDLEA that is saddled with the responsibility of curbing drug abuse and trafficking, rather it is the responsibility of everyone but there is need for NDLEA to publicise the issue of drug trafficking the more.

    ”It is not only to arrest and prosecute offenders but publicity is key to reducing this menace. ‘The agency must let people know the dangers of engaging in this form illegality,” he said.

    Ademiluyi, who attributed the cause of illicit drug use by youths to family upbringing, urged parents to inculcate good moral values in their children at an early stage of their upbringing.

    ”We need to educate our children on the dangers of these illicit drugs and also have time for them so that the country at large can be a better place for us all,” he said.

    Another lawyer, Mr Spurgeon Attainne, said that the NDLEA should collaborate more with international organisations and communities to reduce drug abuse.

    ”Awareness is key to the successful reduction of illicit drug trafficking in the country. Much still needs to be done to reduce drug abuse in the country,” he noted.

    A security expert, Mr Wilson Esangbedo, said that NDLEA needed more funds to boost its role in ensuring the reduction of illicit drug trafficking and abuse.

    He said limited budget might make the agency not to be effective in performing its duties.

    ”I am not sure the agency has done enough, it needs more funds because when you look at the drug issue, it still needs to be seriously tackled.

    Esangbedo attributed the use of illicit drugs by the youth to family backgrounds and poor home training.

    ”Lack of family culture and values can be said to be the bane of illicit drugs by youths in the society,” he said.

    Mr Abayomi Davies, a father and a businessman, urged parents to give children good moral upbringing to reduce peer influence on them, which might lead them to indulge in drug use.

    ”Parents should have time for their kids and also ensure they educate them on the dangers of illicit drug usage and trafficking,” he said.

    He also attributed the cause of illicit drug trafficking by youths to unemployment.

  • Cocaine trafficker sentenced to 12 years

     

    Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court 10, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja on Monday May 16, 2016 sentenced a thirty-one (31) year old technician, Michael Nwobodo to twelve years imprisonment with hard labour.

     

    The convict who attempted to escape on the day of arrest will now spend twelve years in prison custody with hard labour.

    He pleaded guilty to unlawful importation of cocaine, an offence punishable under the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act.

     

    Justice Okon in his judgement observed that the illicit drug trade was not abating and that measures must be taken to stop the criminal act.

    NDLEA Chairman, Col. Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah (retd.) commended the ruling, adding that the agency will continue to collaborate with relevant stakeholders in the fight against illicit drugs in the country.

     

    “This will serve both as a deterrent and a corrective measure to the convict and others who are involved in narcotic production, trafficking and abuse. The Agency will not relent in partnering with stakeholders in apprehending and prosecuting drug traffickers” Abdallah stated.

    It will be recalled that the convict who was arrested on February 29, 2016 with eighty-one wraps of cocaine weighing 1.350kg on his way from Dubai attempted to escape by breaking through a glass wall at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) Abuja.

     

    He was later arrested and treated for the injuries he sustained. The 81 wraps of cocaine were concealed in Parker Whisky packs along with boxes of chocolates inside a duty free bag.

    Michael Nwobodo reportedly told officials that he was not under the influence of narcotics but only tried to escape because of fear of going to prison.

    NDLEA commander at the Abuja airport, Mr. Hamisu Lawan said that more passengers coming from Dubai had been found with cocaine at the Abuja airport in recent times.