Connect with us

Metro News

NDLEA docks SAHCO manager, others for alleged drug trafficking

Published

on

 

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arraigned an Assistant General Manager of Skyway Handling Company (SAHCO), Olajide Kafidipe, and seven other employees of the company before a Federal High Court, Lagos for alleged drug trafficking.

 

The NDLEA docked Kafidipe and others before Justice Deinde Dipeolu on four counts of conspiracy, unlawful importation and possession of 1,440.90 kilograms of Tramadol.

 

Other defendants in the case are Sanyaolu Rasheed Oladele, Musa Mutalib Opeyemi, Sanamo Alla Daniel, Anuge Evans Isibor; Mahmud Agboola Musa, Udeh Felix and Obinna Henry.

 

The prosecutor, Abu Ibrahim, had earlier informed the judge that the defendants conspired with the trio of Mubarak Sarki Salami, Abdullahi Aliyu, a.k.a Aboki and Anwal Monday, who are also staff of the company but now at large, to commit the offences on or about October 25, 2023.

 

Ibrahim also alleged that the defendants conspired amongst themselves to transport 1 440.90 kilograms of Tramadol 225mg, a Narcotic, through the SAHCO Import Shed.

See also  Assassins kill Ondo consultant  nine months daughter died in similar circumstance

 

He further claimed that Kafidipe conspired with Sanyaolu Rasheed Oladele and procured one Lawal Itunu Temitope to transport the prohibited substance from SAHCO Import Shed in a Mercedes Benz Bus with Registration Number LAGOS MUS 269 YC, belonging to Platinum Pacific International Limited.

 

The prosecutor informed the court that another staff of SAHCO, Sanyaolu Rasheed Oladele, was unlawfully found in possession of the said 1440—Ninety kilograms of Tramadol 225mg, a Narcotic Analgesic.

 

Ibrahim maintained that the offences are contrary to sections 14 (b), 21 (2)(d) and 20 (1)(c) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and is punishable under sections 11 (b) and 20 (2)(b) of the same Act.

 

All the defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

 

Following their plea, the prosecutor urged the court to fix a trial date and order that the defendants be remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Services until the hearing and conclusion of the trial.

See also  NDLEA arrests doctor, ex-soldier for allegedly dealing in drugged cookies, cocaine

 

The defence lawyer however informed the court that he had filed separate bail applications for his client except for the Assistant General Manager and Henry.

 

The lawyer, therefore, urged the court for a short date to enable him to file the bail applications for the duo.

 

Based on this development, the prosecutor urged the court to remand all the defendants in prison until the court hears their bail applications.

 

Justice Dipeolu ordered the operatives of the NDLEA to call their Airport Commander to allow the defendants to be remanded in their custody until Wednesday, January 17, when their bail applications will be heard and determined.

 

He also adjourned the case to January 24 for the commencement of the trial.

Metro News

Woman jumps into Lagos lagoon, rescued by boat operators

Published

on

By

A yet-to-be-identified woman has been rescued after reportedly jumping into the lagoon from the Idumota end of the Carter Bridge in Lagos state.

The incident, which reportedly drew the attention of passersby and local boat operators, occurred on Tuesday afternoon.

According to eyewitnesses, nearby boat operators responded and brought the woman back to safety.

video circulating on social media showed the woman, seated in a rescue boat shortly after she was brought out of the water.

The footage, shared on X by a user identified as CHUKS, also showed people gathered on the bridge expressing concern about the woman’s condition.

Some bystanders could be heard appealing to the boat operators to ensure that she received appropriate care.

The circumstances surrounding the incident were unclear as of the time of filing this report.

Authorities had yet to issue an official statement on the incident or confirm the woman’s identity and condition.

See also  NDLEA arrests doctor, ex-soldier for allegedly dealing in drugged cookies, cocaine

Continue Reading

Metro News

Police seize truck-load of fake drug warehouses in Lagos, arrest two

Published

on

By

The Lagos State Police Command says its operatives have uncovered two warehouses allegedly used for repackaging counterfeit pharmaceutical products and arrested two suspected members of a syndicate involved in the interstate and cross-border distribution of fake drugs.

Fatai Tijani, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command,  disclosed this on Monday while briefing newsmen at the command’s Violent Crime Response Unit in the Ijora Olopa area of the state.

The suspects, identified as Eze Okwudilichukwu, 52, and Chukwudi Mba, 42, were arrested during an intelligence-led operation by detectives attached to the unit.

The police boss said the suspects were apprehended at a warehouse located at Number 7A Otto Causeway, Otto, Lagos, where they were allegedly repackaging suspected adulterated pharmaceutical products for distribution to various parts of Nigeria.

He said the operation followed credible intelligence on the activities of the syndicate.

According to the police commissioner, “The suspects, Eze Okwudilichukwu ‘m’ 52 years, and Chukwudi Mba ‘m’ 42 years, were arrested at their warehouse located at No. 7A Otto Causeway, Otto, Lagos, where they were found repackaging suspected adulterated pharmaceutical products for distribution to different parts of Nigeria.

See also  NDLEA intercepts N9b worth opioids in Port Harcourt, recovers consignments of drugs in Ikorodu warehouse

“Following their arrest and interrogation, the suspects led detectives to another warehouse, where a duly executed search warrant was carried out. During the search, a truck loaded with large quantities of suspected adulterated pharmaceutical products, bearing registration number KFR 241 XA (Katsina), was recovered alongside other exhibits.”

The police boss said items recovered during the operation included about 300 cartons of suspected adulterated Omeprazole; six bags containing unpackaged suspected adulterated Viagra, Ampiclox, Septrin, Piriton, and other pharmaceutical products; and about 10 cartons of suspected adulterated Ampiclox, Viagra, and other drugs.

The CP noted that more than 300 empty printed packs and cartons were used to repackage counterfeit medicines.

According to him, preliminary investigations revealed that the syndicate had been involved in the repackaging and distribution of suspected adulterated drugs for over two years.

He added that detectives uncovered evidence suggesting that the products were supplied to different parts of Nigeria, while large consignments were also destined for Lomé, Togo, indicating the existence of a transnational distribution network.

See also  NDLEA operatives arrest online drug traffickers, seizes 107kg cocaine in sting operations

“The investigation also suggests that the suspected adulterated drugs are being manufactured somewhere within Lagos State.

“While the production facility has not yet been located, detectives have intensified efforts to identify and dismantle the factory, arrest all those connected with the operation, and bring them to justice,” Fatai said.

The commissioner also alleged that attempts were made to compromise the investigation after the suspects were arrested.

“It is pertinent to state that since the arrest of the suspects, desperate attempts have been made through different channels to induce officers of the Violent Crime Response Unit to release both the suspects and the recovered exhibits.

“I wish to categorically state that these attempts were firmly resisted. The Lagos State Police Command remains committed to professionalism, integrity, and the rule of law, and no amount of pressure or inducement will derail the course of justice,” he added.

Tijani said the suspects, recovered exhibits, and case file had been handed over to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control for further investigation and possible prosecution.

See also  Two police officers allegedly shot by Yoruba Nation agitators in Lagos

He explained that the handover was necessary because the case falls within the regulatory mandate of the agency.

The CP commended operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit for what he described as a professional and intelligence-driven operation while urging members of the public to provide useful information on the manufacture and distribution of counterfeit pharmaceutical products and other criminal activities.

Continue Reading

Metro News

NDLEA uncovers cocaine hidden in wooden mortar, backpack bound for China, Italy

Published

on

By

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says its operatives have uncovered fresh attempts by drug syndicates to export cocaine concealed inside a traditional wooden mortar and a specially modified backpack destined for China and Italy.

This was contained in a statement released by Femi Babafemi, the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, and shared on X on Sunday.

According to Babafemi, one of the consignments involved cocaine concealed inside a traditional wooden mortar, a local tool commonly used for pounding yam and grains, which was being shipped to China.

The agency added that another cocaine shipment destined for Italy was discovered concealed in the false bottom of a backpack hidden among lace materials.

He wrote, “Mortar is a traditional local wooden tool commonly used for pounding yams or grains but was used to conceal cocaine consignment heading to China in one of the latest seizures by #ndlea_nigeria officers who also discovered another shipment of cocaine going to Italy in the false bottom of a backpack hidden in lace materials.

See also  Good morning! Here Are Some Major News Headlines In Nigerian Newspapers Today: Dame Jonathan endorses Tinubu for 2027 poll

“Beware of every parcel you’re given to deliver. Remember the key word for liability is possession!”

Continue Reading

Trending News