Crime
NDLEA Thwarts Efforts to Ship Cannabis, Tramadol in Crayfish Sack
By Edozie Obasi-Eze
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has thwarted the efforts of unscrupulous businessmen to export illicit drugs to Dubai from Nigeria.
Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, on Sunday in Abuja, said the Agency detected 15 parcels of cannabis and 600 grams of tramadol concealed in a sack of crayfish packaged for Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
According to Babafemi, the Agency seized the consignment and subsequently arrested a freight agent, Osahor Ekwueme, who presented it for export.
In a similar development, Babafemi disclosed that the Agency also apprehended a suspected drug trafficker, Ifeanyi Egbuwaohia, in the Igando area of Lagos State.
Read also>>>NDLEA, Interpol Enter Agreement On Access To Global Criminal Data Records
He explained that the arrest came weeks after the NDLEA’s operatives intercepted 5.20kgs of cannabis concealed in kegs of palm oil enroute Dubai at the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO).
Egbuwaohia was arrested at the NAHCO export shed of the MMIA, Lagos, was the brain behind the seized consignments, Babafemi added.
“Though Ifeanyi works as a technician at Computer Village, Ikeja but beneath his known business, he also works with a drug network in Dubai, where he sends illicit drugs for distribution.
“Few hours after his arrest, another consignment of 2.60kgs of the same substance sent by him for export to Dubai was also intercepted by operatives at the airport.
“Another consignment of 1.30kgs of cannabis concealed in reconstructed engine blocks going to Dubai have also been seized.
“It was intercepted at the Skyway Aviation Handling Company Plc export shed while two persons: Olatunji Temiola and Osemojoye Sunday have been arrested in connection to the bid,” Babafemi averred.
The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a man for allegedly stabbing his 38-year-old wife to death in Oke-Ira, Ilogbo Eremi, Badagry.
Confirming the incident on Thursday, the command’s spokesperson, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, said the crime took place on Wednesday.
According to Hundeyin, detectives from the Morogbo Division received a tip-off about the incident and immediately moved to the scene.
“A team of detectives, while on surveillance township monitoring patrol at Oke-Ira, Ilogbo Eremi, got information that the suspect had stabbed his wife to death. The team swiftly raced to the scene and apprehended the suspect,” he said.
READ ALSO: Tragedy In Ogun: Police Inspector Found Dead At Factory
The police recovered a blood-stained kitchen knife from the suspect, who reportedly confessed to the crime during interrogation.
The victim’s remains have been deposited at the Badagry General Hospital morgue, while the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Yaba for further investigation.
Authorities assured the public that the suspect would face the full weight of the law.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Kano State Zonal Directorate, has arrested popular TikTok influencer Murja Kunya for allegedly abusing the Nigerian currency.
According to a statement released on Monday by EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale, Kunya was taken into custody for spraying naira notes for fun during her stay at Tahir Guest Palace, a hotel in Kano State.
Her latest arrest follows a dramatic attempt to evade justice after she allegedly jumped administrative bail earlier granted by the commission.
READ ALSO: Ponzi Alert: EFCC Exposes 58 Fake Investment Companies
Kunya was initially arrested in January 2025 for violating the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Act, which prohibits the abuse and mutilation of the national currency.
Although she was granted bail pending her arraignment before the Federal High Court in Kano, she failed to appear in court and instead went into hiding.
“After weeks of intensive investigation and surveillance, EFCC operatives successfully re-arrested the TikTok Influencer on Sunday, March 16, 2025,” the statement read.
Kunya is now in custody at the Kano Zonal Directorate of the EFCC, where she is awaiting arraignment.
The commission reiterated its commitment to enforcing laws protecting the integrity of the naira and issued a warning against all forms of naira abuse, including spraying, stamping, or mutilating the currency at social events.
A Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the arraignment of former First Bank of Nigeria Plc chairman, Oba Otudeko, and the bank’s former managing director, Bisi Onasanya, over an alleged ₦12.3 billion fraud.
Justice Aneke, delivering the ruling on Monday, stated that under Nigerian law, a defendant’s plea must be taken before any application or objection can be entertained.
“The issue before the court is whether the processes before the court can be taken before the arraignment of the defendants. Any preliminary objection to the validity of a charge can only be heard after the plea is taken; this is now a condition precedent, and this court is bound by the decision,” the judge ruled.
READ ALSO: Counsel To Otudeko Protests Alleged N12.3bn Fraud Charges
The prosecution had opposed any attempt to delay the arraignment, with counsel Bilkisu Buhari-Bala insisting that legal proceedings must follow due process.
Following the ruling, Otudeko’s counsel, Wole Olanipekun (SAN), informed the court that all parties, including the prosecution, had met with the Attorney General of the Federation on March 12 to explore an out-of-court settlement.
He urged the court to allow time for discussions, a request supported by other defense lawyers, Kehinde Ogunwumiju (SAN), Yinka Fusika (SAN), and Charles Adeogun-Phillips (SAN).
However, the prosecution maintained that the case should either proceed to arraignment or be adjourned for a settlement report.
After hearing both sides, Justice Aneke adjourned the case to May 8 for an update on the settlement discussions or the formal arraignment of the defendants.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had filed a 13-count criminal charge against Otudeko, Onasanya, a former board member of Honeywell Flour Mills Plc, Soji Akintayo, and a company linked to Otudeko, Anchorage Leisure Ltd.
The EFCC alleged that between 2013 and 2014, the defendants fraudulently obtained ₦12.3 billion from First Bank through multiple transactions, including payments of ₦5.2 billion, ₦6.2 billion, ₦6.15 billion, ₦1.5 billion, and ₦500 million.
‘A Woman Once Gifted Me ₦30m Because She Liked Me’ – Orezi
WCQ: Osimhen Makes History, Becomes Nigeria’s Second-Highest Scorer
Okpebholo Stands With Tinubu On Rivers State
Global Money Week: NGX, CBN, MinieMoney Preach Financial Literacy To Students
‘Port Harcourt Is My City’ – Ibas Assumes Duty As Rivers Sole Administrator
