The Nation Newspaper

Tag: NDLEA

  • NDLEA intercepts $2.1m at Lagos airport

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted the sum of $2,198,900 from a man in Lagos.

    The money was seized by anti-narcotic officials on the grounds of suspected money laundering at the local wing of the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos.

    One 46-year-old Ibiteye John Bamidele is being investigated in connection with the case.

    The suspect was apprehended on his way to Abuja.

    Preliminary investigation conducted by the Assets and Financial Investigation Directorate of the NDLEA revealed that Bamidele’s  action contravenes the money laundering prohibition act 2011 as amended.

    He told the NDLEA officials that the money belongs to one Martins Olufemi Thomas, a medical practitioner in Lagos.

    Investigation conducted by the agency did not link the money to proceeds of narcotics.

    However, a country having a challenge of insurgency cannot afford to ignore suspicious movement of large amount of money.

    Consequently, the Chairman of NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade, has directed that the suspect and the exhibit be transferred to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further action.

    Giade said, “The outcome of preliminary investigation did not link the money to proceeds of narcotics. I have therefore directed that the suspect be transferred to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for further investigation.”

     

  • Tailor jailed for dealing in cocaine, heroine

    A 38-year-old tailor, Kehinde Ogunmola, was sentenced to six years imprisonment on Wednesday for dealing in 6.1 grammes of heroine, a narcotic drug, without lawful authority.

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said Ogunmola, on March 4, at Shita Street, Surulere, Lagos, also dealt in 4.5 grammes of cocaine, an offence punishable under Section 11 (C) of the NDLEA Act 2004.

    The convict had attempted to escape through the lagoon after his arraignment on July 1 before Justice Musa Kurya of the Federal High Court in Lagos, but was caught.

    He pleaded guilty to a two-count charge, and was sentenced to three years imprisonment on each count.

    The sentence would run consecutively, Justice Kurya held.

    The judge sentenced Ogunmola without an option of fine, and held that his conviction was in accordance with Section 281 of the Criminal Procedure Act, Laws of the Federation, 2004.

    The sentence would take immediate effect, while the narcotic recovered from him must be destroyed within 30 days, the judge said.

    Ogunmola was sentenced after a review of the facts by the prosecution counsel, Mr. Orji Kalu, who said that the convict made a confessional statement.

    He said the substance found on him proved to be hard drugs when tested at an NDLEA forensic laboratory.

    Orji then tendered the statement, the narcotic and certificate of drug analysis, which were admitted as exhibits.

    Ogunmola pleaded for leniency and promised never to indulge in such illicit trade again.

    He had attempted to escape on May 1 as a prison official, Mr. Gila Moses went with him and another suspect to the court’s registry to process their prison remand order.

    As he was speaking to an official, the suspects, who were not hand-cuffed, fled.‎ Confusion ensued as several court officials and passersby chased them.

    Ogunmola headed towards the lagoon just opposite the court, but Moses chased after him, dived into the water after Ogunmola, who could not swim, and arrested him.

  • NDLEA arrests 73 drug pedlers in Kebbi

    NDLEA arrests 73 drug pedlers in Kebbi

    Authorities of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Kebbi State have arrested no fewer than 73 drug peddlers and confiscated illegal drugs weighing 1,505.561 kilograms from January till date.

    State Commander of the Agency, Alhaji Abdullahi Zungeru, who made this known to newsmen in his office, disclosed that this feat was achieved through the concerted efforts of Officers and men of his Command.

    He explained that the drugs confiscated include 41.397 kilograms of Canabis Sativa, otherwise known as Indian Hemp, and some psychotropic substances weighing 1,464.164 kilograms.

    The suspects, according to him, include 70 males and three females. He added that the agency has rehabilitated 72 drug addicts between the ages of 14 and 35 years.

    He lamented the increase in drug abuse in the state, adding “the consumption of the medicinal cough syrup with codeine has increased, compared to other drugs abused.”

    The drug law boss also revealed that married women are involved in drug rafficking, with the support of their spouses.

    “The agency would embark on grassroots mobilisation campaigns to raise public awareness on the dangers of drug abuse and trafficking,” he said.

    He identified logistics such as patrol vans, as challenges facing the agency in the state, pointing out that the agency is faced with funds shortage and motivational welfare packages, among other challenges.

     

     

     

  • NDLEA arrests 73 drug pedlers in Kebbi

    NDLEA arrests 73 drug pedlers in Kebbi

    Authorities of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Kebbi State have arrested no fewer than 73 drug peddlers and confiscated illegal drugs weighing 1,505.561 kilograms from January till date.

    State Commander of the Agency, Alhaji Abdullahi Zungeru, who made this known to newsmen in his office, disclosed that this feat was achieved through the concerted efforts of Officers and men of his Command.

    He explained that the drugs confiscated include 41.397 kilograms of Canabis Sativa, otherwise known as Indian Hemp, and some psychotropic substances weighing 1,464.164 kilograms.

    The suspects, according to him, include 70 males and three females. He added that the agency has rehabilitated 72 drug addicts between the ages of 14 and 35 years.

    He lamented the increase in drug abuse in the state, adding “the consumption of the medicinal cough syrup with codeine has increased, compared to other drugs abused.”

    The drug law boss also revealed that married women are involved in drug rafficking, with the support of their spouses.

    “The agency would embark on grassroots mobilisation campaigns to raise public awareness on the dangers of drug abuse and trafficking,” he said.

    He identified logistics such as patrol vans, as challenges facing the agency in the state, pointing out that the agency is faced with funds shortage and motivational welfare packages, among other challenges.

     

     

     

  • Court orders EFCC, NDLEA to pay man N2m

    Court orders EFCC, NDLEA to pay man N2m

    The Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday awarded N2million damages against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for detaining a businessman, Lawrence Ejiofor, for more than 30 days without trial.

    Justice Mohammed Yunusa said the agencies violated the applicant’s rights by arresting and detaining him for no valid reason.

    He ordered that $96,500 (about N19million) seized from Ejiofor should be returned to him.

    The respondents must also publish an apology to him in two national newspapers.

    The applicant, a businessman, was returning from Tanzania aboard an Ethiopian Airline plane last April 16, when NDLEA officials found the money on him at the arrival hall.

    Ejiofor’s lawyer Chima Nnaji said his client was not allowed to declare the foreign exchange at the Nigerian Customs Service Declaration Point as required by law.

    Instead, NDLEA officials arrested him for money laundering, saying they suspected the money to be proceeds of drug business.

    After detaining him for over 30 days, they handed him over to the EFCC for further investigation.

    When the commission found that Ejiofor was not involved in money laundering, it discharged him but still held onto the money.

    His lawyer sought a declaration that searching the applicant at the arrival hall before being able to declare the foreign currency was illegal as it violated his right to freedom of compulsory acquisition of moveable property as guaranteed under Section 43 of the 1999 Constitution.

    He prayed the court to hold that the continued seizure of the $96,500 is unconstitutional.

    Ejiofor sought N20million as compensation for his unlawful detention from April 16 to May 16, last year.

    NDLEA had argued that the applicant’s arrest was lawful “given the suspicious manner he conducted himself on arrival at the airport”.

    The agency said he “lacked an understanding of the requirement for the declaration at Customs point at the point of entry into Nigeria”.

    EFCC said it was only investigating Ejiofor for money laundering, adding that it “acted within its statutory powers to commence investigation against the applicant under the circumstances of this case.”

  • Giade hails NDLEA agents for bravery

    Giade hails NDLEA agents for bravery

    Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Ahmadu Giade has lauded his officers for the bravery displayed in preventing an accused from escaping through the lagoon at the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos on Wednesday.

    The NDLEA boss also expressed satisfaction with the discovery of 8.09kg of dried weeds that tested positive for cannabis concealed inside packs of noodles and 1.05kg of whitish substance that tested positive for methamphetamine hidden inside female hair attachment.

    “The gallantry and courage of the officer who re-arrested and prevented an accused from escaping through the waterside is laudable. I also thanked the court security official, who apprehended the second accused person.

     “Similarly, the ingenuity of officers that led to the discovery of narcotics hidden inside noodles and hair attachment is equally praise worthy.

    “These notable acts attest to the enthusiasm and commitment of officers in getting results even when the situation appears daunting. The agency will continue to motivate officers by rewarding outstanding performance,” Giade stated.

    The accused, Enitan Ibrahim and Kehinde Ogunmola, were said to have been arraigned before Justice Musa Kurya over alleged illicit dealing in narcotics.

    Both accused took to their heels at the court registry while their remand documents were being signed.

  • NDLEA arrests 85 suspects in Ebonyi

    NDLEA arrests 85 suspects in Ebonyi

    The Ebonyi State command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has announced the arrest of 85 suspects over drug-related offences. It also said 25 people have been convicted while 55kg of drugs have been seized in the first half of the year.

    The Commander, Mr. Ralph Igwenagu said this at an event marking this year’s United Nations International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in the state.

    He added that the command had equally counselled and discharged 35 drug users while three drug-dependent persons were being rehabilitated.

    He enjoined parents and guardians whose children and wards were victims of drug abuse not to lose hope, instead, “such abusers and addicts should be brought to our office for the care, treatment and rehabilitation that they need”.

    Aside being a major influencing factor for all forms of crimes and criminalities, the commander believed that youth’s involvement in drug abuse had brought about unprecedented breakdown in societal and family values, increase in school dropouts, low productivity and the spread of HIV and AIDS.

    In his remarks, the Coordinator of Okposi Development Centre in Ohaozara Local Government Area, Chief Magnus Eze hinted that the global war against illicit drugs would make significant impact, if demands for it were drastically reduced.

    He said this could be achieved through the provision of accurate information on the negative effects of drug abuse and its attendant consequences.

    Mr Magnus urged Education planners across the country to embed drug education in the curricula of primary and secondary schools, even as the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Ebonyi state disclosed that the Agency counselled and discharged 35 drug users while three drug dependent persons were being rehabilitated in the first half of 2015.

    According to Chief Eze who is also founder of Mezie Okposi, a non-governmental Organisation leading ethical revival in the state, “community support is extremely important to prevent, treat, rehabilitate and accept those addicted to substances. All hands must be on deck. Be a good role model and empower young people to deal with life challenges to stay away from substance abuse. We can achieve this by forming drug-free club in our schools and also making drug education part of the curricula of primary and secondary schools in Nigeria. Teenagers need to get the accurate and detailed information about substance use from a trusted and reliable adult – be it a parent or a teacher.”

    Chief Eze further charged families, schools, civil society and faith-based organizations to do their part to rid their communities of drugs, while urging the Nigerian media to raise greater awareness about the dangers of narcotics.

    The state police Commissioner of Police, Dikko Maigari, who was represented by Assistant Commissioner of Police Mathew Akinyosola cautioned Nigerian youth against involvement in drug abuse in view of its damaging effect on the body and the society.

    He warned that the long arm of the law would always catch up with those involved in drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking.

    Other speakers at the occasion were Bibian Okpoko, Comptroller of Prisons, Ebonyi State; and Richard Anichukwu, state coordinator, NAFDAC.

    The theme of the celebration is: Let’s Develop Our Lives; Our Communities, Our Identities without Drugs.

  • Illegal detention: Court orders EFCC, NDLEA to pay man N2m

    Illegal detention: Court orders EFCC, NDLEA to pay man N2m

    The Federal High Court in Lagos Thursday awarded N2million damages against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for detaining a businessman, Lawrence Ejiofor, for more than 30 days without trial.

    Justice Mohammed Yunusa said the agencies violated the applicant’s rights by arresting and detaining him for no valid reason.

    He ordered that $96,500 dollars (about N19million) seized from Ejiofor should be returned to him. The respondents must also publish an apology to him in two national newspapers, the judge said.

    The applicant, a businessman, was returning from a trip from Tanzania aboard Ethiopian Airline last April 16 when NDLEA officials found the money on him at the arrival tube.

    Ejiofor’s lawyer, Dr Chima Nnaji, said his client was not allowed to declare the foreign exchange at the Nigerian Customs Service Declaration Point as required by law.

    Instead, NDLEA officials arrested the applicant for money laundering, saying they suspected the money to be proceeds of drug business.

    After detaining him for over 30 days, they handed him over to the EFCC for further investigation.

    When the commission found that Ejiofor was not involved in money laundering, it discharged him but still held onto the money.

    His lawyer sought a declaration that searching the applicant at the arrival tube before being able to declare the foreign currency was illegal as it violated his right to freedom from compulsory acquisition of moveable property as guaranteed under Section 44 of the 1999 Constitution.

    He prayed the court to hold that the continued seizure of the $96,500 for several months is unconstitutional and to order the money’s release.

    Ejiofor sought N20million as compensation for his unlawful detention from April 16 to May 16, 2014.

    NDLEA had argued that the applicant’s arrest was lawful “given the suspicious manner he conducted himself on arrival at the airport from Tanzania.”

    The agency said he “lacked an understanding of the requirement for the declaration at Customs point at the point of entry into Nigeria.”

    EFCC said it was only investigating Ejiofor for money laundering, adding that it “acted within its statutory powers to commence investigation against the applicant under the circumstances of this case.”

  • Ghanaian jailed 17 years for illicit drug dealing

    Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Lagos, on Monday sentenced a Ghanaian, Patrick Mensah, to 17 years imprisonment for dealing in a banned narcotic without lawful authority.

    The convict had pleaded guilty to dealing in 27.6 kilogrammes of “vegetable leaves” which proved to be cannabis sativa when tested.

    He was arraigned by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on a one- count charge on April 2.

    The prosecution counsel, Mr. Orji Kalu, said the offence contravened Section 11(c) of the NDLEA Act, Cap N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

    Justice Abang said: “I am satisfied that the accused person committed the offence and he is hereby convicted as charged.”

    The judge described Mensah (29) as an ungrateful foreigner who entered and was accommodated in Nigeria since 2010 only to pay the country back with evil.

    In handing the sentence, the judge said it would help discourage crime in the society.

    “A decision of the court of law in a criminal matter like this should serve as deterrence to other Nigerian youths.

    “The convict unlawfully dealt in 27.6kg of cannabis sativa. The seed of wrong doing is to face the wrath of the law.

    “I hereby sentence the convict to 17 years of imprisonment with effect from Monday. The exhibit shall be destroyed by the NDLEA,” the judge held.

    The prosecution said the convict was caught by NDLEA operatives at Ebule Egba, Lagos, in possession of the outlawed substance.

    NDLEA tendered various exhibits before the court including the bulk of the marijuana seized from Mensah and the confessional statement that the convict was said to have freely made.

     

  • NDLEA destroyed illicit drugs worth N542b in 2014

    NDLEA destroyed illicit drugs worth N542b in 2014

    The National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), at the weekend, said illicit drugs and cannibis destroyed in 2014 was worth N542 billion.

    The  illicit drug seized weighed 106,897.18 kilogrammes.

    The agency also disclosed that 8,826, comprising 8,322 males and 494 females were arrested or questioned under the period in review.

    Chairman of the agency, Mr. Ahmadu Giade, spoke in Abuja at the launch of National Drug Control Master Plan (NDCMP) 2015-2019. The master plan was done in collaboration with United Nations Office on  Drug and Crime  (UNODC) and funded by the European Union.

    Giade said: “This huge amount is mind blowing and has the capacity to derail the most credible election. Such proceeds can either be used to subvert the wishes of the electorates or instigate upheavals. We shall therefore continue to financially incapacitate and dislodge drug cartels.

    “In Nigeria, we have fought very hard to eradicate illicit drugs from our society. The agency recorded unprecedented success in cannabis farm destruction. A total of 4409.15 hectares of farmland representing 53,719, 342.32 kilogrammes of cannabis were destroyed and prevented from causing untold harm to Nigerians.”