The Nation Newspaper

Tag: National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)

  • NDLEA arraigns driver for alleged possession cocaine

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Tuesday arraigned one Haruna Adamu, in a Federal High Court, Abuja, for alleged possession and distribution of 1.2kg of cocaine.

    The prosecution alleged that the defendant sometime in March, conspired under the bridge at Mabushi, Abuja, with one Safianu, now at large, to commit the said crime.
    Adamu’s charge was read by an interpreter and he pleaded not guilty.
    The defendant told the court that he only carried the said Safianu in his taxi and that he knew nothing about the cocaine.
    Ms Hameedat Umar, the counsel to the defendant, prayed the court to grant her client bail on health grounds.
    “I humbly apply that the court should consider the plight of the defendant and grant him bail.
    “He is epileptic and even fell down recently and has not been able to use his right hand since then.”
    The prosecuting counsel, Mr Mike Kassa, told the court that the NDLEA had wanted to release him based on his health condition, but no one to stand as surety for him.
    Kassa further told the court that the defendant was taken to the National Hospital, but the agency could not afford the bill given by the hospital for his treatment.
    The judge, Justice Nnamdi Dimgba, admitted the defendant to bail on recognition of his counsel and adjourned the matter till May 16.

     

  • NDLEA discovers cocaine inside passengers’ boxers, luggage

    NDLEA discovers cocaine inside passengers’ boxers, luggage

    Officers of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos have discovered cocaine hidden inside the boxer shorts and luggage of a passenger.

    Two suspected drug traffickers, jewellery and auto parts dealers have been apprehended in connection with unlawful importation of narcotics.

    The suspects according to the Agency are Okonkwo Godwin, 57, an importer of jewellery found with cocaine in his boxer shorts and Nnaemeka David Chinedu, 37, an auto parts dealer who ingested 94 wraps of heroin.

    This is one of the largest quantities of drugs ingested by a suspect at the Lagos airport lately.

    NDLEA commander at the Lagos airport, Ahmadu Garba said that the suspects arrived from Brazil and Uganda with cocaine and heroin respectively.

    “Two suspected drug traffickers are currently being interrogated for illegally importing narcotics into the country. Okonkwo Godwin was caught with one wrap of cocaine in his boxer shorts and another inside his bag all weighing 750 grammes.

    He was arrested during the inward screening of passengers on a South African Airline flight from Brazil while Nnaemeka David Chinedu was arrested for ingesting ninety-four wraps of heroin weighing 1.595kg during the screening of passengers on Rwand Airline from Uganda” Ahmadu stated.

    The 57 year old suspect, Okonkwo Godwin who hid a parcel of cocaine in his boxer shorts told narcotic investigators that he smuggled drugs because of his numerous financial problems.

    “I am married with two children but I am in a terrible financial crisis. I used to import jewellery for sale at Trade Fair complex in Lagos and Onitsha main market. Things have changed so drastically that l even finds it difficult to feed my family.

    This was what led me into drug trafficking. l was given two wraps of cocaine; one was hidden in my boxer shorts while the other was in my luggage. The agreement was for me to sell the drug and share the proceeds with my partner in Brazil,” Okonkwo stated.

    Nnaemeka David Chinedu said that he swallowed 94 wraps of heroin for 450,000 naira out of desperation.

    “I ingested drugs for N450, 000 naira because l was desperate. This is my first time of smuggling drugs. I have been selling auto parts in Lagos for the past 15 years but l must admit that things are very rough with me financially. I was paid to smuggle drugs from Uganda to make ends meet,” Nnaemeka explained.

    NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive, Col. Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah (retd.) said that the Agency will continue to disappoint the plans of drug traffickers who wish to make money from drug trafficking.

    In his words, “NDLEA is working very hard to intercept drugs at all entry points and also arrest every trafficker.

    “Those who intend to enrich themselves with proceeds of drugs will end up in detention. The arrests so far made validate our resolve to address the problem of drug trafficking in the country”.

    The suspects will soon be charged to court.

     

  • Anambra: NDLEA arrested 273 suspects in 2016

    Anambra: NDLEA arrested 273 suspects in 2016

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Anambra said it arrested 273 drug suspects including 13 females in 2016.

    The figure was 16 lower than the 289 suspects arrested in 2015 in the state.

    The NDLEA Commander, Mr Sule Momodu, made the disclosure to newsmen in Awka on Wednesday.

    Momodu said that it secured 49 conviction during the year under review as against 30 people convicted in 2015.

    He said that 85 people were rehabilitated in 2016 as against 55 in 2015.

    The commander said that the agency made 1,126.33kg drug seizure in 2016.

    The drugs were Cannabis Sativa, 1,099.95kg; Cocaine, 338.5gm; Heroine, 310.9gm; and Methamphetamine, 25.73kg.

    According to him, arrest and prosecution by the agency has immensely contributed to the improved security in the state.

    Momodu stressed the importance of a modern rehabilitation centre in the state, while commending Gov. Willie Obiano for giving approval for a land for the construction which had yet to commence.

    “We need a rehabilitation centre to cut off the increase of the drug users. Without rehabilitation, other people can lure them to go back into the business.

    “But with a rehabilitation centre the governor would have gone the full circle on drug remand reduction,’’ he said.

    Momodu said that the governor had also made valuable contributions to the command in the fight against illicit drug.

    He said that the state government procured two vehicles last year and gave approval for five motorcycles for the command in 2017.

     

  • Trafficker bags three years for peddling 50.3kg of marijuana

    Trafficker bags three years for peddling 50.3kg of marijuana

    A Federal High Court in Lagos on Tuesday, sentenced a 50-year-old man, Abdulmaroof Oshilaja, to three years imprisonment for hemp trafficking.

    The convict, a dealer in narcotics, was charged by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on a charge bordering on the offence. He pleaded guilty to the charge.

    After his plea, the prosecutor, Mr Jeremiah Aernan, reviewed the facts of the case and tendered several exhibits before the court.
    He tendered a written statement of the accused, a request for scientific aid form, a drug analysis form, a forensic analysis form as well as the bulk of exhibits.

    The court admitted and marked them accordingly.

    Delivering judgment, Justice Oluremi Oguntoyinbo found the accused guilty as charged and sentenced him to a term of three years imprisonment.

    “The convict is hereby sentenced to three years imprisonment beginning from the date of his arrest,” he said

    The prosecutor had told the court that the accused committed the offence on Jan. 13.

    He said that the convict was arrested in a primary school in Ikorodu, Lagos, where he trafficked Cannabis (also called Indian Hemp) to willing customers.

    According to Aernan, a total of about 50.3 kg of the narcotics was recovered from the convict, who was consequently detained.

    The offence is said to have contravened the provisions of Section 11 (c) of the NDLEA Act, 2004.

    In his plea for mercy, the convict had begged the court to temper justice with mercy and be lenient with his sentence.

    He pleaded that he would turn a new leaf if given another opportunity.

     

  • Man jailed in Ekiti for possession of Indian hemp

    Man jailed in Ekiti for possession of Indian hemp

    A Federal High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday slammed a one-year prison sentence on one Michael Joel for illegal possession of Cannabis sativa otherwise known as Indian hemp.

    Joel, 25, was arraigned by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) after he was arrested on September 15 at Atikankan area of Ado Ekiti, a notorious hideout for sale and abuse of hard drugs.

    NDLEA Prosecutor, Collins Ugwuja, told the court that the accused was caught with 500 grammes of cannabis Sativa at the point of arrest.

    According to him, the offence contravened Section 11 (a) of the NDLEA Act, Cap N30 Laws of Federation of Nigeria. 2004.

    The accused who made a confessional statement during his trial at the court urged the court to tamper justice with mercy.

    Defence counsel, Segun Fowowe, also prayed the court to grant tamper justice with his client, promising that he would turn a new leaf.

    Justice Taiwo Taiwo in his judgment decried the way and manner youths with intellectual ability partake in an illicit drug which could affect their brain.

    He consequently sentenced the accused to one-year imprisonment without any option of fine saying this would serve as a deterrent to others in the habit of taking a hard drug.

  • Drug cartel abandons heroin at Lagos airport

    Drug cartel abandons heroin at Lagos airport

    Officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have discovered 6.158kg of heroin abandoned at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos.
    The consignment which originated from Pakistan was left unclaimed on the conveyor belt at the arrival hall during the inward screening of passengers on Etihad Airways flight.

    cannabis hidden in pockects of jeans trouses
    Cannabis hidden in pockets of jeans trousers
    Two suspected drug traffickers were also apprehended at the airport while attempting to smuggle 2.035kg of cocaine concealed in cassava flour to Nairobi, Kenya and 2.485kg of cannabis to Qatar.

    NDLEA commander at the airport, Ahmadu Garba said that the abandoned heroin was hidden inside a bag of clothes.

    “Officers detected 6.158kg of heroin hidden amidst clothes in the abandoned luggage. Oluwasheto Abiodun, a 39-year-old electrician was found in possession of 2.035kg of cocaine while Ibe Divine, 33-year-old welder was caught with 2.485kg of cannabis. Both cases are currently under investigation,” he stated.

    Oluwasheto Abiodun, suspect
    Oluwasheto Abiodun, suspect

    Oluwasheto told officials that he was asked to send the drug to Nairobi by his childhood friend. “I am an electrician based in Lagos. My childhood friend asked me to buy perfumes, sunglasses and shirts for him. After I bought the items, he then called that somebody will give me cassava flour to add and send to Nairobi in Kenya.

     

    However, during the search operation at the airport, two parcels of cocaine weighing 2.035 was hidden inside the flour. This was what led to my arrest. I was only given the sum of three hundred thousand Naira (N300,000) to buy the items, but my action has led me to detention” Oluwasheto who is a single parent lamented. He hails from Ondo State.

    ibe divine
    Ibe Divine

    The second suspect, Ibe Divine who is a welder said in his statement that he wanted to sell the cannabis in Qatar for a high profit. “I am a welder but I have been working in Qatar as a labourer. I bought the cannabis for fifteen thousand Naira (N15,000) in Nigeria with the intention of making a very high profit from it in Doha. In all l had ten parcels of cannabis hidden inside jeans trousers in my luggage. During the search of my luggage, I was arrested after the drug was detected” he stated. Ibe is married with two children and hails from Imo State.

    Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Col. Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah (retd.) in his response assured members of the public that the Agency will continue to improve its screening capability in drug detection, arrest and prosecution of drug barons.

    “The NDLEA will continue to wax stronger in counter narcotic operations. We have equally organised a manhunt for the importers of the abandoned heroin and they shall soon be exposed” Abdallah assured.
    The NDLEA boss also called for the support of members of the public with useful information on the activities of drug barons in their communities. The suspects will soon be charged to court.

  • NDLEA arrest 32 persons for drug abuse, sale in Borno

    NDLEA arrest 32 persons for drug abuse, sale in Borno

    The Borno Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Wednesday said it had arrested 32 persons for alleged drug abuse and sale.

    The Commamdant of the agency, Mr Ona Ogilegwu, stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri.

    Ogilegwu said the command had also seized about 510 kilogrammes of various quantities of illicit drugs from the suspects.

    He said that the suspects were arrested in Galadima, Tashar Kano, Kasuwar Shanu and Bulumkutu areas of the state capital.

    “We have seized various quantities of illicit substances of hard drugs ranging from cannabis sativa, rophenol, diazepham, benelyn with codene and several other substances from the peddlers.

    ” Recently we have been to IDPs camps where we arrested many of the drug addicts and peddlers.

    “We also took our campaign to Dalori camp, Bakassi, Teachers village and Dikwa IDPs camps in the state capital to warn them against the dangers of illicit drug use.

    “We made some of these arrests at the Njimtilo check point, Njimtilo on Damaturu road and Gamborun Ngala road.

    Ogikegwu said the command had so far secured about 38 court convictions, 20 suspects were currently awaiting trial, while 9 suspects caught with minimum and negligible quantities of drugs were “counseled, rehabilitated, warned and released’’.

  • Two jailed 14 months for drug trafficking

    Two jailed 14 months for drug trafficking

    A Federal High Court in Jos on Friday sentenced two men to 14 months imprisonment for hard drug trafficking.

    The convicts — Adamu Garba, 25, and Mujaheed Yusuf, 31 — both residents of Jos were arrested on July 12, 2016 with 250 grammes of Hemp, 500 grammes of Tramadol, 90 grammes of Diaspha and 66 grammes of Exol-5 by officials of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

    The offences contravened Sections 14 and 19 of the NDLEA Act, 2004 (As Amended).

    The duo had pleaded guilty before Justice Dorcas Agishi, and begged for leniency.

    “Please Ma, we are guilty of the offences and we are pleading for leniency; we will not do it again. We now know our mistakes and we will not repeat it again.

    “We are very sorry Ma; we have spent eight months in detention before appearing before you ma. I am very sick as I have ulcer and typhoid,’’ Garba said amid tears.

    The NDLEA Prosecutor, Mrs. Ramatu Oketola, told the court that since the duo had pleaded guilty to the crime, the court should give them summary trial.

    “My Lord, since the suspects have pleaded guilty to the charge, I pray that they should be given summary trial and convicted as spelt out by the law to serve as a deterrent to others, ’’ she said.

    Oketola tendered the suspects’ statements made on the day of their arrest, three certificates of laboratory tests results carried out on the substances and the substances as exhibits.

    Justice Agishi consequently sentenced the two accused persons to seven months imprisonment each, saying the sentence should start from the day of their arrest.

    “Having confessed to committing the offence, this honourable court has the power to sentence you to 25 years imprisonment but because you begged for leniency and you have spent eight months in detention and have fallen ill, I hereby sentence you to seven months imprisonment each.

    “This means that you have served your prison terms already while in detention; you can now go home and never to repeat such a crime again, else you will meet a stiffer punishment next time you are brought before me,’’ she ruled.

     

  • Navy intercepts 559kg of Carnabis, arrests three suspects

    Navy intercepts 559kg of Carnabis, arrests three suspects

    …Five others caught for illegal fishing

     

    Operatives of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT have arrested three suspected drug traffickers including a Beninnois, caught smuggling 559kgs of Carnabis Sativa (Marijuana) into Lagos.

    Nautey Akiti, 33, Jelili Anu, 25 and Kunnuyi Danului, 24 were arrested on February 5, at Ikare waterways, with 11 bags containing carefully packed dried weeds, with an estimated N10million street value.

    Handing over the suspects to officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Tuesday evening, the Commander, NNS BEECROFT, Commodore Maurice Eno said they were caught onboard a fibre boat, MY DESTINY.

    “The suspects, substance and the boat are being handed over to NDLEA for further investigation and possible prosecution. Our men onboard NNS KARADUWA also arrested a fishing trawler, FT STEPHANIE that was engaged in illegal fishing around the road stead on February 3.

    “It was discovered that the fishing permit of the vessel has expired as such, the vessel was not supposed to fish in Nigerian waters at the time it was caught. So, the five crew members on board could not give satisfactory explanation for their action and they were arrested.

    “The suspects-Theophilus Ibikunle, Oshaegbu Shedrack, Felix Ajigbo, Wasiu Lawal and Omotuole Orisameolowa- have been handed over to the Federal Department of Fisheries for further action.

    “In line with the mission of the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas, I want to restate the resolve of NNS Beecroft to tackle all forms of criminalities in its area of operation.”

    However, the suspected drug traffickers denied knowing the content of the bags were Marijuana.

    They claimed they were contracted by one Amos to deliver the luggage around Ojo.

    Akiti claimed he was in the boat to collect his money from Anu, who asked him to assist in loading the boat.

    He said: “I am a fisherman. I am from Benin Republic but I live at Ikare. It was Jelili that told me to help him load the boat with the bags. After loading, I asked for my money but he said I should follow him so that the owner can pay me. I don’t know anything about it. If I knew it was drugs, I wouldn’t have followed them in the boat.”

    But Anu denied Akiti’s claim, insisting that it was Amos who called the latter.

    Anu said as a boat operator, he was offered N20,000 on charter basis to deliver the bags to an address in Ojo.

    He denied knowing the content.

  • Three hard drug traffickers get 15 years in jail

    Three hard drug traffickers get 15 years in jail

    Three drug traffickers are to spend the next 15 years behind bars, a court ruled in Lagos on Monday.

    A Federal High Court which handed down the verdict said the trio — Bukola Adeoye, 24; Muyideen Ipumafayi, 35; and Alani Babaraji, 30 — were convicted following their guilty pleas.

    The judge, who gave the convicts an option of N5 million fine each, are to spend five years each.

    They were arraigned by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on three separate charges bordering on trafficking in hemp.

    Adeoye was first arraigned on March 6, 2013, before Justice John Tsoho and had pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    However, Tsoho was transferred from the Lagos Division of the court, while Justice Mojisola Olatoregun, took over as the new trial judge.

    On February 1, Adeoye opted to change her plea and pleaded not guilty; she was re-arraigned and remanded in prison while the court adjourned proceedings for a review of facts.

    The prosecutor said she was arrested at Ejigbo in Lagos with about 12.15 kg of cannabis sativa (hemp).

    Ipumafayi was arrested on December 7, 2016, along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway for also transporting about 10.4 kg of hemp.

    He was arraigned on January 26 and had pleaded guilty to the charges while the court also adjourned for a review of facts.

    Babaraji was arrested on November 29, 2016, at an uncompleted building at the Ijegun area of Lagos for dealing in 1.1kg of Cannabis and was arraigned on Jan. 26 and pleaded guilty to the charge.

    At the resumed hearing of the case on Friday, the Prosecutor, Mr Jeremiah Aernan, reviewed the facts of the cases and tendered evidence before the court.

    He tendered a statement of the convicts, a request for scientific aid form, as well as exhibits.

    Delivering her judgment, Justice Olatoregun, found the trio including a woman guilty of the offences as charged.

    She sentenced Adeola, Ipumafayi and Babaraji to a term of five years imprisonment each which will run from the date of judgment.