The Nation Newspaper

Tag: NDLEA

  • NDLEA arrests 8,826 drug trafficking offenders

    NDLEA arrests 8,826 drug trafficking offenders

    The fight against cultivation, sale and use of illicit drugs in the country is said to be yielding unprecedented results.

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA) said it had fought very hard to eradicate illicit drugs from our society.
    The agency on Friday on the occasion of ‘The United Nations International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking 2015’, disclosed that in 2014, a total of 8,826 drug trafficking offenders comprising of 8,332 males and 494 females were arrested.
    The agency also disclosed that a total of 4,529.15 hectares of farmland representing 53,718,342.42 kilogrammes of cannabis were destroyed and prevented from causing untold harm to Nigerians.
    Between January and June 2015, the agency arrested 3,478 drug suspects and seized 170, 341.704 kilogrammes of narcotic drugs comprising of cannabis, cocaine, heroin and other psychotropic substances and discovered cannabis farms measuring 126.721 hectares.

    Chief Executive of NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade made the disclosure in Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State in his address to commemorate the 2015 United Nations International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking which had the theme: ‘Let’s Develop Our Lives, Our Communities, Our Identities Without Drugs’.
    He attributed the indulgence in drugs addiction, abuse and trafficking to excessive craving for materialism without regard to integrity, discipline, good conducts, diligence and cultural values.

    The seized drugs include marijuana (Cannabis)-167, 461.826 kg, Cocaine-103, 848 kg, Heroin-17.976 kg and Psychotropic substances-2,619.195 kg excluding the discovery of Cannabis farms measuring 126.721 hectares and the total 783 cases so far won in court against the drug traffickers.

  • NDLEA nabs 246 drug suspects in Edo

    NDLEA nabs 246 drug suspects in Edo

    Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said it has arrested 246 suspected drug barons in the state between June 2014 and June 2015.

    It said 30 tonnes of different types of hard drugs were seized in different parts of the state.

    State Commander of NDLEA, Mr. Buba Wakawa, disclosed this at the 2015 International Day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking.

    Buba said a total of 116 millions of hectares of Cannabis Sativa farms were destroyed in the state.

    He said the command has convicted 20 drug suspects in the last one year.

    The Edo NDLEA boss stated that 126 drug dependent persons were counseled, rehabilitated and re-integrated into the society.

    He appealed to the State Drug Abuse Control Committee to partner with the NDLEA for the purpose of planning and implementation of eradication programmes.

  • NDLEA arrests 148 suspects in one year

    NDLEA arrests 148 suspects in one year

    The Benue State command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested 148 suspected drug dealers and seized 1,271.529kg of cannabis in the last one year.

    Its Commander, Mrs. Florence Ezeonye, who spoke in Makurdi at a news conference to mark the 2015 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, said of those arrested, 133 are men,  while 15 are women.

    She said 1,223.329kg of cannabis sativa was seized and 48.2kg of psychotropic substances was impounded.

    Mrs. Ezeonye said the command infused the elements of drug abuse education into the relevant subjects in the nomadic education and senior secondary school curricula, tertiary institution curricula as well as the curricula of adult and non-formal education sector.

    She added: “We also have sustainable public enlightenment programmes for target groups and individuals, women, youths in and out of schools, road transport workers, artisans and others.”

    The NDLEA commander urged the Benue State government to assist in establishing a standard rehabilitation centre for the benefit of the people.

    According to her, there would be endurance trek from Mr. Bigg’s roundabout to IBB square and a drama presentation by the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Free Club.

  • Court refuses Kashamu’s application to jail AGF, NDLEA boss

    Court refuses Kashamu’s application to jail AGF, NDLEA boss

    Justice Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court in Lagos on Tuesday refused to commit the Attorney-General of the Federation and chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Ahmed Giade, to prison.

    He said the committal proceedings initiated by Senator Buruji Kashamu, who the NDLEA is seeking to extradite to the United States to face drug dealing charges, had become academic.

    The judge said a similar application was decided by another judge of the court, Justice Okon Abang.

    Justice Abang had barred the NDLEA from giving effect to a warrant of arrest for Kashamu.

    He nullified the provisional warrant of arrest secured by the NDLEA against Kashamu.

    Justice Abang also declared that until the judgment of the court against extradition was appealed against and set aside by the Court of Appeal, no extradition proceedings could commence against Kashamu.

    The judge held that the provisional warrant of arrest was obtained without jurisdiction as the attention of the judge who signed it was not drawn to the existing order barring NDLEA and the AGF from taking any steps in the extradition process.

    The court declared the proceedings before the Abuja Court as a nullity.

    But on Tuesday, Justice Buba said the order must be complied with until set aside by a superior court.

    The judge also dismissed a preliminary objection filed by the NDLEA, saying from the processes before him, he was satisfied that the defendants were properly served.

    The judge then went on to determine the merit of the contempt application, and held that since Justice Abang had previously ruled on a similar case, the instant suit had become an academic exercise and unnecessary.

    “There should be no overzealous conduct from either of the parties. Government agencies must abide by the rule of law to avoid anarchy.

    “They (AGF and NDLEA Chairman) should be of good behaviour until their appeal is determined.

    “No matter how aggrieved, they should abide by the order of court until there is a counter order from a superior court.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, orders of Justice Abang are still subsisting and must be complied with,” Justice Buba held.

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  • FG appeals orders on Kashamu’s arrest, extradition

    FG appeals orders on Kashamu’s arrest, extradition

    The Federal Government has appealed against court orders made by Justice Ibrahim Buba and Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court in Lagos barring security agencies from arresting or extraditing Senator Buruji Kashamu over drug charges to the United States.

    Justice Buba had on June 8 barred the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) from extraditing Kashamu.

    The judge ordered that the respondents shall not in the face of the court’s subsisting judgments/orders and pending suit enforce the May 25 warrant of arrest or arraign Kashamu based on the extradition process filed on May 28.

    He said it was “so as not to get conflicting orders whilst cases are pending and judgments/orders subsisting, including committal proceedings.”

    But in the appeal filed on behalf of the Attorney-General of the Federation by Chief Emeka Ngige (SAN), the appellant said Justice Buba ought to have dismissed Kashamu’s suit as abuse of court process.

    It said the court has no supervisory jurisdiction over another Federal High Court of coordinate jurisdiction hearing extradition proceedings duly commenced before it.

    Besides, it said the court cannot fetter the hands of security or prosecuting agencies in the lawful discharge of their functions.

    According to the AGF, Justice Buba’s order was made without jurisdiction and seeks to shield a fugitive from facing a duly initiated extradition.

    The appellant added that the trial judge erred in law in making the order without hearing from the AGF, thereby breaching his right to fair hearing.

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  • Cannabis dealer convicted twice within two days

    A notorious cannabis dealer in Lagos has been convicted twice within two days at the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos.

    The 30 -year-old convict, Mr. Afiz Isah, aka Agama, who resides at Iketuga Street, Meiran, Lagos, will spend eight years and 18 months in prison for two separate convictions.

    Isah was first sentenced to 18 months imprisonment for dealing in 29kilogramme of dried weeds that tested positive for cannabis by Justice C. J. Aneke on Monday.

    He was arraigned before Justice Okon Abang over unlawful dealing in 3.9kg of cannabis two days later and was sentenced to seven years imprisonment.

    The NDLEA prosecutor, Mr. Jeremiah Aernan, told the court that the accused was not a first time offender as he was sentenced two days ago by another court for dealing in cannabis.

    “We confirmed that Isah sold cannabis to a female drug trafficker, Toyin Raimi, before police apprehended him at Atubaje Street Agege, Lagos, and transferred him to NDLEA,” Aernan stated.

    On his part, the convict pleaded guilty and begged for forgiveness.

    “I want the court to forgive me and have mercy on me. I am married with children and I want to be with my family. I have made up my mind not to sell cannabis again. If you forgive me I will go back to my village in Kwara State to farm,” Isah pleaded.

    Not satisfied with his appeal, Justice Abang in his ruling said the convict did not deserve mercy.

    The judge said, “I have gone through the facts of the case and it was clear that the accused distributed cannabis to some dealers within the state. I will therefore put an end to his menace and save the society from further damage resulting from his criminal activities. He is hereby sentenced to seven years imprisonment.”

     

  • Two arrested for ingesting 132 wraps of cocaine

    Officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a trader and an apprentice for ingesting 132 wraps of cocaine weighing 2.7kilogramme.

    The suspects were intercepted at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, while returning from Kenya.

    They both tested positive for drug ingestion during inward screening of passengers on an Ethiopian Airline flight.

    The NDLEA commander at the Kano airport, Mr. Ambrose Umoru, gave the names of the suspects as Otaka Patrick Kalu, a 48- year old trader who ingested 72 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.450kg and David Ikechukwu, a 32- year old apprentice at Alaba market.

    Ikechukwu ingested 60 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.250kg.

    “The suspects were nabbed while returning from Kenya. Interim investigation revealed that they were recruited by one source and were promised the sum of $5, 000,” Ambrose stated.

    Kalu, who resides in Aba, told investigators that he smuggled drugs to pay his children school fees.

    “I sell clothes in Aba but my business has suffered serious setbacks. I am married with three children and life is becoming unbearable on daily basis.

    “I could not further my education after my secondary school. I got involved in drug trafficking to pay my children school fees, but I am regretting my action. I swallowed 72 wraps of cocaine because of $5,000,” he stated.

    He hails from Ohafia, Abia State.

    Ikechukwu, who lives in Lagos, said that financial hardship pushed him into drug trafficking.

    He stated, “I am an apprentice at Alaba Market, Lagos, where I am learning how to sell kitchen equipment. I am married with a child, but I am unable to take care of my family. I swallowed 60 wraps and would have been paid $5,000.” He hails from Orlu in Imo State.

  • NDLEA arrests four drug trafficking suspects

    NDLEA arrests four drug trafficking suspects

    Officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested four suspected drug traffickers, among who is a commercial tricycle rider.

    The suspects were apprehended at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport (AIIA), Enugu when they attempted to smuggle 8.876kg of various narcotic drugs to India, Turkey, Hong Kong and China.

    Two of the suspects concealed the drugs in their luggage. The other two ingested theirs. NDLEA commander at the Airport, Nsikak-Abasi Udoh, said that the suspects were being investigated.

    He said: “Four persons were arrested and they are: Samuel Rapuruchukwu Anele, 45, from Ichi village, Ekwusigo LGA of Anambra State, a tricycle, rider was caught with 4.892kg of methamphetamine on his way to Bombay, India; Emmanuel Chukwuebuka Ifeanyichukwu, 31, hails from Ezioko in Orumba North LGA of Anambra State was caught with 1.293kg of cocaine on his way to Istanbul, Turkey; Ukaeji Eric Tochukwu, 38, from Ukpommili village in Dunukofia LGA of Anambra State was found with 1.408kg of cocaine on his way to Hong Kong while Nwoye Ekene Godfrey was caught with 1.283kg of cannabis which he had wanted to smuggle to Guangzhou, China.

    “The suspects are helping our team of investigators”.

    NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Ahmadu Giade said the agency will step up security checks at the nation’s entry and exit points.

  • NDLEA arrests 72 suspects

    NDLEA arrests 72 suspects

    THE National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Jigawa State command, has arrested 72 suspected dealers and users of drugs in the first quarter of this year. The Commandant, Alhaji Abdullahi Abdul, who addressed reporters yesterday in Dutse, said the command seized 72.2737 kg of drugs from suspects. He said: “Among the suspects prosecuted, 17 were sentenced to jail terms ranging from one to two years and above, depending on the gravity of the offence.” Abdul added: “This time, we’ve succeeded in arresting one notorious dealer, Idi Santana, of Sabon Gari in Taura Local Government Area, who has been on our wanted list for long.” The commandant noted that the rate of drug abuse had dropped compared to the previous years. “This is because besides arresting and seizing substances, we have increased public enlightenment guidance, counselling and rehabilitation of the addict.” According to him, parents should monitor their children’s activities and discourage them from associating with bad friends.

  • Kashamu: NDLEA challenges court’s jurisdiction

    Kashamu: NDLEA challenges court’s jurisdiction

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Thursday challenged the jurisdiction of a Federal High Court, Lagos, to entertain a suit filed by Senator-elect, Prince Buruji Kashamu against plans by the agency to extradite him to the United States.

    At the resumed hearing of the committal charge before Justice Ibrahim Buba, counsel to NDLEA, James Sunday drew the court’s attention to a motion asking the court to set aside its order of May 26, restraining the agency from arresting Kashamu.

    He informed the court that the agency has not been served with originating summons and submitted that the court ought not to have made the order.

    Following the siege on Kashamu’s Lekki, Lagos, home by operatives of the NDLEA as a result of an alleged extradition request sent by the U.S government for Kashamu to answer drug trafficking charges, the Senator-elect had approached the court to stop the agency from arresting him.

    Arguing before Justice Buba on Thursday, counsel to Kashamu, Ajibola Oluyede told the court his client spent six days in his toilet hiding from men of the NDLEA.

    He told the court that men from the NDLEA only vacated Kashamu’s residence after he (Oluyede) was compelled to sign an undertaking, adding that without signing the undertaken they would not have left the building.

    ‘’The only reason they left was because I signed an undertaken.  My client was in a toilet for six days with 20 masked armed men in his bedroom. So, I signed the undertaking before they left, they should not claim to have obeyed the order of the court,” he said.

    He prayed the court for fresh orders in light of moves by the NDLEA to commence extradition proceedings against Kashamu.

    Oluyede prayed the court to declare as illegal, any fresh moves by NDLEA to extradite Kashamu to the U.S, given that there are subsisting judgments.

    He also urged the court to nullify any warrant of arrest that might have been obtained through any source in an attempt to extradite his client.

    Oluyede also prayed for an order directing the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to provide police security to protect the applicant from any attempt on his life.