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Tag: NDLEA

  • Judge chides NDLEA for detaining suspect illegally

    Judge chides NDLEA for detaining suspect illegally

    THE National Drug Law Enforcenment Agency (NDLEA) cannot detain suspects without a court order, Justice Saliu Saidu of the Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday.

    Judges, he said would not have bothered with several fundamental rights applications if the agency did the right thing.

    “You are giving us pressure – unnecessary pressure,” the judge said while addressing NDLEA counsel Ibrahim Abu during proceeding in a case field by a businessman, Chika Okonkwo, challenging his detention without a charge by the agency. He is seeking the enforcement of his fundamental rights and is demanding N200 million damages.

    Justice Saidu said the suit could have been avoided had NDLEA obtained an ex-parte order to keep the suspect, or charged him and then apply to keep him in detention if necessary.

    “You cannot keep a suspect in detention perpetually,” the judge said.

    The applicant said he arrived at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) in Ikeja, Lagos from South Africa on November 16, and later realised that he was mistakenly given another passenger’s luggage.

    He returned the wrong luggage, only to be accosted by NDLEA agents who sought to know what was in his bag.

    He said no banned hard drugs or substances were found on him, except $83,000, 12,500 euros, 15 handsets and 14 bottles of Hennessey.

    The NDLEA officials took him to their office on Shaw Road, Ikoyi, on November 17, where he has since been detained.

    No charge has been brought against him, nor was a court order obtained for his detention, the applicant said.

    He is seeking a declaration that his arrest and detention without a charge violates his right as guaranteed in Section 35 of the 1999 Constitution and Article 6 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights.

    His lawyer, Peter Nnorodi, said he was ready to move his application, but Abu said the time within which NDLEA can respond to the suit had not elapsed. He said the agency would soon file its counter affidavit.

    Justice Saidu adjourned till January 11 for hearing.

  • Judge chides NDLEA for detaining suspect illegally

    Justice Saliu Saidu of the Federal High Court in Lagos on Tuesday said it was wrong for the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to detain suspects without a court’s order.

    He said judges would not need to bother with several fundamental rights applications by detained suspects if the agency did the right thing.

    “You are giving us pressure – unnecessary pressure,” the judge said while addressing counsel for NDLEA, Ibrahim Abu.

    Abu was representing the agency in the case of a businessman, Chika Okonkwo, who filed an application challenging his detention without charge by NDLEA. He is seeking the enforcement of his fundamental rights and is demanding N200million damages.

    Justice Saidu said the suit could have been avoided had NDLEA obtained an ex-parte application to keep the suspect, or charge him and then apply to keep him in detention if necessary.

    “You cannot keep a suspect in detention perpetually,” the judge said.

    The applicant said he arrived at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport from South Africa on November 16, but later realised that he was mistakenly given another passenger’s luggage.

    He returned the wrong luggage, only to be accosted by NDLEA agents who sought to know what was in his bag.

    He said no banned hard drugs or substances were found on him, except for $83,000, 12,500 euros, 15 handsets and 14 bottles of Hennessey.

    Despite not finding any drugs on him, NDLEA officials took Okonkwo to their office at Shaw Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, on November 17, where he was detained.

     

  • Suspects hide hemp in biscuit cartons

    Suspects hide hemp in biscuit cartons

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted a truck load of cannabis sativa packaged as biscuits and cheese balls.

    The 3,542.25kg bags of drug were impounded at the Odeda axis of Ijebu-Igbo in Ijebu North Local Government in Ogun State.

    Ihenacho Chinweuba (27) and Uche Enuosa (33) were arrested.

    NDLEA State Commander Bala Fagge said the shipment was meant for consumption in Ogun and Lagos states.

    “A white Mercedes Benz Truck with registration No: Lagos KJA132XN was intercepted at Odeda axis of Ijebu-Igbo, Ijebu North Local Government.

    “The truck carrying biscuits and cheese balls was found to contain 295 big bags of dried weeds of cannabis sativa weighing 3,542.25 kilograms.

    “Two suspects were apprehended and are assisting in further investigation,” Bala said.

    Chinweuba, who hails from Nsiala-Ngwa Local Government Area of Abia State and Enuosa from Asaba, Delta State, said they were on their way to distribute the drugs in Ogun and Lagos states.

    The cannabis was neatly arranged in the inner part of the long containerised truck while the outer part was filled with more than 300 cartons of biscuits and cheese balls.

    Enuosa said: “I am a plumber but due to lack of work I decided to drive the truck.

    “I have no savings and the only way I can travel home this festive season is to engage in cannabis business.”

    Chinweuba said: “I am married with children. I have not bought anything for my family this Christmas.

    “It was joblessness that led me to this. All my hope was on this cannabis shipment because I know that if we are successful,  my family would be happy this season.

    “The cartons of biscuits were to hide the drugs but it is unfortunate that we were arrested and my dream has shattered.”

  • Man in court over alleged heroin trafficking

    Man in court over alleged heroin trafficking

    A 35-year-old man, Aniecheta Okoli, on Tuesday appeared before a Federal High Court in Lagos, charged with heroin trafficking.

    The accused is facing a one-count charge preferred against him by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

    The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge, and his counsel, Mrs Lilian Omotunde, requested that he be granted bail.

    Justice Saliu Saidu, the trial Judge, in response, granted the accused bail in the sum of N10 million with two sureties in like sum.

    The judge ordered that one of the sureties must be a blood relation of the accused.

    He adjourned the case till Feb. 25, 2016, for substantive trial.

    The prosecutor, Mr Fingere Dinneys had told the court that the accused committed the offence on Oct. 5

    He said that the accused was arrested at the arrival hall of Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja.

    The prosecutor said that a large wrap of heroin, weighing 45 grammes, was recovered from the accused during the screening of passengers.

    He said that Okoli was consequently arrested and handed over to the NDLEA for prosecution.

    The prosecutor said that the offence contravened Section 11 (b) of the NDLEA Act, Cap N30, Laws of the Federation, 2004.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the offence of drug trafficking can attract as much as life imprisonment.

  • NDLEA impounds truck with N15m Indian hemp

    NDLEA impounds truck with N15m Indian hemp

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency  (NDLEA) on Friday said it impounded a truck loaded with Indian hemp worth over N15 million in Akwanga, Nasarawa State.

    Mr Saidu Salihu, the NDLEA Area Commander in charge of Akwanga and Kokona Local Government Areas, disclosed this to newsmen in Akwanga.

    Salihu said that the truck was impounded after knocking down and killing three street hawkers at Alushi Village, near Akwanga.

    According to him, the occupants of the vehicle fled the scene after the accident.

    “The villagers later got there and discovered that the truck was loaded with hard drugs and contacted the agency.

    “The occupants of the vehicle left their mobile phones and other valuables in the truck and that is what we are using to track them down,’’ Salihu said.

    He said that the impounded vehicle had been deposited at the Akwanga Police Station while investigation was on going to arrest and prosecute the suspected traffickers.

    The commander vowed that the agency was poised to rid the state of drug traffickers and peddlers.

    He, however, solicited the support of members of the public in order for the agency to achieve its goal.

  • South African, two others arrested for drug trafficking at Abuja airport

    The Acting Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mrs. Roli Bode-George, has assured that the agency will continue to tighten the noose on drug cartels, just as narcotic officers arrested three persons with 18.2kgs of drugs valued at N163million.

    The suspects were arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

    They included a South African Sipho Mitshali, 31, found in possession of 4kg of Ephedrine and 8kg of Methamphetamine on his way to Johannesburg.

    Two Nigerians – Ifeagwu Osita and Obiabumuo Augustine Ikechukwu were also arrested for attempting to smuggle 4.7kg and 1.5kg of cocaine respectively.

    According to Roli, efforts are ongoing to consolidate on the agency operational gains.

    “The NDLEA is working hard towards making the country impenetrable to drug barons. We are also tightening the noose on drug trafficking syndicates to sustain the gains recorded in arrests of drug barons and seizure of drugs.

    “There is a systematic plan of action to dislodge drug syndicates and ultimately eradicate illicit drugs from our society,” she stated.

    The NDLEA boss also called for support from Nigerians against drug barons whom she described as enemies of the society.

     

  • Police transfer suspected drug peddlers to NDLEA

    Police transfer suspected drug peddlers to NDLEA

    The Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 2 Command, Lagos, Mr Bala Hassan has transferred two suspects found with cannabis to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

    The suspects were arrested with 863 compressed parcels of dried weeds that tested positive for cannabis weighing 781.5 kilogrammes believed to have been smuggled from Ghana by sea at Badagry.

    They were received by the Seme command of the Agency on behalf of the NDLEA.

    NDLEA commander at Seme Border Command, Mr Udotong Essien while receiving the suspects and exhibits, pledged to carry out further investigation.

    The commander gave the names of the suspects as Ismaila Aliyu, 26, a transporter and Edwin Igbokwe, 39, a labourer at Badagry jetty.

    Items recovered from them include: one speed boat powered by Yamaha engine; three Honda motorcycles and  N480,000 believed to be proceeds from drug business.

    Aliyu said he imported the cannabis from Ghana for the end-of-year sales.

    He said: “Most dealers now prefer imported cannabis from Ghana. This consignment was targeted at the end-of-year sales. As a transporter, I make more money from cannabis importation.

    “The cannabis would have been distributed to dealers in Lagos if not that we were arrested. I have two wives and four children and I take care of them from the money I make from cannabis sales.”

    Igbokwe said his role was to carry the drugs from the boat to a vehicle that will convey them from the riverside to town.

     

  • Police transfer drug suspects to NDLEA

    The Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 2 command Lagos, Mr. Bala Hassan, has transferred two suspected cannabis smugglers to officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

    The suspects were arrested with 863 compressed parcels of dried weeds that tested positive for cannabis and weighing 781.5kgs being smuggled from Ghana by sea at Badagry.

    They were received by the Seme command of the Agency on behalf of the NDLEA.

    NDLEA commander at Seme Border Command, Mr. Udotong Essien, while receiving the suspects and exhibits pledged to carry out further investigation on the arrest.

    The commander gave the names of the suspects as Ismaila Aliyu (26), a transporter and Edwin Igbokwe (39), a labourer at Badagry jetty.

    Udotong said, “I hereby takeover two suspected drug traffickers with 781.5kgs of cannabis from Zone 2 command, Nigeria Police, Lagos.

    “Other items include one Speed Boat Yamaha engine, three Honda motorcycles and N480,000 cash believed to be proceeds of drug business.”

    The main suspect, Ismaila Aliyu, who is a transporter, told NDLEA investigators that he imported the cannabis from Ghana for end of year sales.

  • Court bars AGF, NDLEA from seizing Kashamu’s properties

    Court bars AGF, NDLEA from seizing Kashamu’s properties

    The Federal High Court in Lagos on Tuesday restrained the Federal Government from seizing Senator Buruji Kashamu’s properties over drug trafficking allegations.

    Justice Ibrahim Buba held that it would amount to abuse of powers for the respondents to infringe on Kashamu’s property rights without following due process.

    The judge, therefore, barred the Attorney-General of the Federation Abubakar Malami (SAN) and the National Drug Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) from violating the senator’s rights to own property.

    Kashamu sought an order of perpetual injunction restraining NDLEA and the AGF from taking possession of his assets.

    The Senator said he learnt of moves by agents of the Federal Government to seize his properties, including a 24-flat housing estate at Egbe and several hectares of land on Lekki Peninsula, Lagos.

    According to him, he acquired the properties, which he said worth N20billion, by dint of hard work and through his legitimate business.

    He said contrary to NDLEA’s alleged claim, the properties were not proceeds of drug trafficking.

    The Senator said his right to own property as guaranteed by sections 43 and 44 of the 1999 Constitution would be breached if the respondents were not perpetually restrained.

    Ruling in his favour, Justice Buba held that since previous judgments stopping Kashamu’s extradition had not been discharged or vacated, the prosecution could not take steps against him when the restraining orders were still subsisting.

    He said the prosecution was bound to obey the orders until set aside by the Court of Appeal.

    “The judgments of this court are binding on the parties and on this court until set aside on appeal,” he held.

    Justice Buba said the Federal Government cannot seize Kashamu’s assets on the basis of the same allegations that had been decided upon by the court “whether rightly or wrongly.”

     

  • NDLEA arrests six suspected drug traffickers at Lagos Airport

    A 25- year old single lady, a Brazil based freelance journalist and a patent medicine dealer are among six suspected drug traffickers currently being interrogated by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for drug trafficking.

    The six suspects were apprehended at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, with substances that tested positive for narcotics.

    The NDLEA commander at the Lagos airport, Ahmadu Garba , gave the names of the suspects as – Gabriel Chidimma Juliet (25), caught with 2.900kg of cocaine in duty free bag, Anagbogu Churchill Okwudili ( 48), who ingested 47 wraps of cocaine weighing 940 grammes and Enenchi Jerome Oguejiefor (36)  who concealed 5.500kg of cannabis inside fufu.

    Others are – Ani Kennedy Tochukwu (32), who packed 21 wraps of cocaine weighing 350 grammes inside jeans trousers, Eletamuzor Celestine Kenechukwu (28,) caught with a kilogramme of ephedrine inside hair attachment and Okpala Vitus Arinzechukwu (35) caught with 2.720kg of cocaine.

    Apart from Eletamuzor Celestine Kenechukwu and Enenchi Jerome Oguejiefor that attempted to export ephedrine and cannabis to South Africa and United Arab Emirates respectively, others were apprehended for smuggling drugs into the country.

    The suspects attributed their involvement in drug business to the financial rewards offered them and the agency has commenced investigation into the cases.

    The only female suspect, Juliet, who resides in Abuja, told narcotic investigators that she was given the drug by her boyfriend in the UAE.

    “Since I left secondary school in 2010, I have been trading to sustain myself. I buy goods in Dubai and sell in Abuja. It is unfortunate this time around that cocaine was found in the bag. My boyfriend gave it to me in Dubai,” Juliet, who hails from Imo State, stated.

    Churchill, who is a freelance journalist, said he was frustrated into dealing in drugs.

    “I graduated from the London School of Journalism in 2005 and I am a freelance journalist. I have been in Brazil for about two years and my standard of living is very poor.

    “My condition was such that I could not afford return ticket to visit my wife and children in Nigeria for about two years. It was frustration from my inability to discharge my responsibility as a father and a husband that led me into drug trafficking,” he said.

    Churchill hails from Anambra State.