Crime
NDLEA Unveils Multiple Arrests, Massive Drug Hauls Nationwide
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has disclosed a series of multiple arrests and substantial drug hauls, spanning the entirety of the nation over the week.
In Abuja, A 40-year-old businessman, Sherif Egbo, was apprehended by National Drug Law Enforcement Agency operatives at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
Attempting to board an Air France flight to Paris, Egbo was discovered to have ingested illicit drugs during a body scan on Saturday, October 14. NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi confirmed the arrest of the Spain-based individual.
In a weekly communique released on Sunday, NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi stated that “Egbo was subsequently placed under observation at the agency’s exhibit recovery room where he excreted 93 pellets of heroin weighing 2.222 kilogrammes. In his statement, the suspect claimed he works at a chicken hatchery farm in Madrid, Spain, and also in the drug trafficking business,”
In additional details, the communique disclosed that on Monday, October 16, NDLEA operatives at the NAHCO imports shed of Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja Lagos, intercepted a consignment. The seizure included 10 cartons holding 500,000 pills of tramadol 225mg, falsely branded as tapentadol.
The cargo, which was shipped from India through Qatar Airways with airwaybill number MAWB 319-01227236 was purported to be a transit cargo to Monrovia, Liberia.
However, the lid was blown open through partnership and real-time intelligence-sharing mechanisms between NDLEA and its Liberian counterpart.
Also, an attempt by an intending passenger, Ngene Chinecherem, to Muscat, Oman on Qatar Airways, to export 11.100kgs of skunk and 600grams of tramadol concealed in foodstuffs through the Lagos airport was thwarted by NDLEA officers who arrested him and seized the illicit substances.
In a separate operation, NDLEA officers from the Directorate of Operations and General Investigations (DOGI), deployed to courier companies, made significant interceptions on Sunday, October 15.
They discovered 1kg of methamphetamine concealed in containers of body cream destined for New Zealand. Additionally, another consignment of 2.5kgs of cocaine and phenacetin was found hidden in the walls of a carton intended for Saudi Arabia.
Further seizures occurred on Wednesday, October 18, at a different courier company in Lagos. NDLEA made two discoveries: 112 grams of Dimethyl Sulfone hidden in the hollow of a motor driving shaft en route to New Zealand, and 583 grams of Cocaine and phenacetin concealed in a bottle of body cream destined for Saudi Arabia.
In Imo state on Sunday, October 15, operatives intercepted a Mercedes Benz container truck with the plate number ABN 418 YN, discovered parked in an isolated area along the Owerri-Onitsha expressway. Upon searching the abandoned truck, they uncovered 168 bags of skunk, weighing a total of 1,854 kilograms.
During the week, a total of 1,381.3kgs of the same substance were seized in Edo state through four interdiction operations in various locations: Ekpon community, Igueben LGA; Iguiye forest in Ovia North East LGA; Iruekpen, Ndokwa West (resulting in the arrest of Monday Nwocha); and in Egwalor village in Onwude LGA (leading to the arrest of Obune Prince and Chika Obi). In the latter operation, their Audi 80 salon car with the plate number BEN 406 CL, loaded with cannabis sativa, was also recovered.
In Kano state, on Saturday, October 14, at Gadar Tamburawa area, an ex-convict, Aminu Suleiman, 46, along with Haruna Abdurrahaman, 41, and Ojo Esezobor, 34, were arrested. The NDLEA recovered 106kgs of cannabis from them. Notably, Aminu had been previously arrested with 22kgs of cannabis on June 3, 2022, leading to his conviction on November 24, 2022.
In another development, at Gadar Tamburawa area of Kano on Monday, October 16, four additional suspects—Inusa Ali, Yahaya Musa, Abba Audu, Ali Abubakar, and Bunu Kyari—were apprehended for their involvement in dealing 75.3kgs of skunk.
Simultaneously, operatives of the Zone J Command of the NDLEA discovered and seized 478kgs of cannabis in a forest in Ikere Ekiti on Friday, October 20.
In a separate operation, the Ondo state command recovered a total of 928kgs of the same substance in a bush near Shagari market along Ifon-Owo express road and Ibola camp, Ipele forest.
Moving to Borno state, on Saturday, October 21, a suspect named Sani Mohammed, 31, was arrested with 182kgs of cannabis at Njimtilo, along the Maiduguri–Damaturu road.
Crime
N1.3trn Fraud: EFCC Arrests Ex-Delta Gov, Ifeanyi Okowa
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa over allegations of diverting N1.3 trillion in 13% derivation funds intended for Delta State during his tenure.
Okowa, who served as governor from 2015 to 2023, was detained after he voluntarily appeared at the EFCC’s Port Harcourt Directorate on Monday in response to an official summons.
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According to an EFCC source, Okowa is accused of failing to account for the N1.3 trillion derived from the federation account, as well as an additional N40 billion he allegedly invested in shares of UTM Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).
The investigation suggests that Okowa acquired an 8% stake in a major Nigerian bank to support the offshore LNG venture, with funds purportedly misallocated from state resources.
Beyond the LNG shares, investigators are probing whether Okowa redirected state funds to acquire high-value properties in Abuja and Asaba.
Okowa is currently held at an EFCC facility in Port Harcourt as the inquiry continues.
The high-profile arrest comes as Okowa, who was the vice-presidential running mate to Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general election, faces scrutiny over his financial conduct in office.
Crime
Court Orders Arrest Of Dana Air CEO In N1.3bn Fraud Case
Amid repeated absences from court, the Federal High Court in Abuja has issued an arrest warrant for Hathiramani Ranesh, Managing Director of Dana Air, who faces charges of fraud and conspiracy tied to alleged misappropriations totaling N1.3 billion.
The ruling, handed down Monday by Justice Obiora Egwuatu, calls for Ranesh’s immediate arrest following his failure to respond to multiple court summonses.
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Justice Egwuatu cited Section 184 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), empowering the court to issue an arrest warrant against defendants who evade appearance.
“The defendant is legally obligated to appear, and the court is authorized to issue a warrant for arrest if he does not,” Justice Egwuatu said, setting January 13, 2025, as the next court date, adding that no objections will be considered unless Ranesh is present.
Ranesh and two Dana Group subsidiaries—Dana Group PLC and Dana Steel Ltd—face serious allegations from the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF).
Prosecutors claim that between 2014 and 2018, Ranesh and his companies engaged in fraudulent activities, including the unauthorized sale of industrial generators valued at N450 million, which had been pledged as collateral in a debenture agreement.
Additional charges allege the misappropriation of N864 million from bond funds meant for operations at the Dana Steel Rolling Factory in Katsina, and a N60.3 million transfer to an external account without authorization.
The charges, filed by Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Moshood Adeyemi, cite violations under the Criminal Code Act.
In court, government lawyer Mojisola Okeya-Esho argued for the arrest warrant, stating that Ranesh had disregarded court orders to appear for arraignment.
Defense counsel B. Ademola-Bello challenged the prosecution, contending that jurisdictional issues must be addressed before proceeding with the case.
Justice Egwuatu dismissed these objections, underscoring that Ranesh’s presence in court is required before other arguments can be entertained.
The matter is now adjourned until January 13, 2025, with the warrant remaining active until the defendant is brought to court.
Crime
Gunmen Attack Police Facility In Owerrinta, Female Detainee Killed
In a shocking act of violence, armed assailants targeted the Police Rapid Response Squad facility in Owerrinta early Monday morning, resulting in the tragic death of a female detainee.
The attack occurred shortly after midnight along the Umuahia-Aba Federal Expressway.
READ MORE: Edo Deputy Gov, Omobayo Ordered To Court Over Refusal To Vacate Office
State Commissioner of Police Danladi Isa confirmed the incident, revealing that the gunmen arrived in three Hilux vehicles and opened fire on the police facility.
“Our personnel successfully repelled the attack,” Isa stated.
However, the attackers resorted to using dynamite, causing significant damage to the building and exposing the detainees inside.
During the chaos, the gunmen attempted to free detainees, leading to the fatal shooting of the female suspect.
Unconfirmed reports suggest she was in custody related to a child trafficking case.
In the aftermath of the attack, police swiftly initiated a manhunt for the perpetrators, employing advanced technical methods to track their movements.
Commissioner Isa announced the arrest of one suspect, who is currently undergoing interrogation to uncover the identities of additional accomplices.
“We are making significant progress in our investigation,” he affirmed.
Authorities are calling on the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities as the investigation continues.