Politics

INEC Seeks Stakeholders’ Support For Ekiti East Bye-Election

By Web News 601

The Independent National Electoral Commission in Ekiti State has called for the cooperation of all stakeholders who will be involved in the Ekiti East Constituency One State Assembly bye-election scheduled for March 20.

The State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Adeniran Tella made the call today at a meeting with the leadership of security agencies and other stakeholders in Ado-Ekiti.

Dr Tella who pledged a level playing ground for all political parties, appealed to them to conduct violence free primaries so as to present credible candidates for the poll.

On her part, NYSC state coordinator, Mrs Chikezie Nnenna promised to sensitize the corps members who would be used as ad-hoc staff to adhere to the rules guiding the bye-election while the state chairman of IPAC, Mr Ifedayo Iyaniwura expressed the association’s support for the exercise.

In their brief remarks, the state commissioner of police, Mr Tunde Mobayo and the Director of State Security Service, Mr Musa Halilu promised to ensure adequate protection of lives and prosperity before, during and after the bye election.

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, had representatives at the meeting while the Ekiti State Director of National Orientation Agency, NOA, Mr Fadahunsi Bankole was present.

Amos Ogunrinde

Crime

NDLEA Seizes 1.5 Tonnes Of Cannabis In Ondo State

By Web News 1019

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Ondo State Command, has arrested nine dealers of illicit drugs and seized 1,292 kilograms of cannabis sativa and its seeds from them.

Addressing newsmen in Akure, the Ondo State Commander of the NDLEA, Mr Haruna Gagara disclosed that 711.5 kilograms of cannabis seeds were recovered from a forest in Ago Oyibo area of Ogbese, Akure North Local Government Area.

Mr Gagara pointed out that the seizure has prevented the mass cultivation of an estimated 250 hectares of cannabis sativa farmland in the state.

He explained that his operatives had earlier intercepted a vehicle loaded with 580.5 kilograms of the illicit drug along Ogbese-Owo road.

Some of the suspects arrested claimed they were unaware of the existence of the seeds of Cannabis Sativa seized from their house.

Kayode Animasaun

Politics

Buhari appoints Marwa as NDLEA chair

By Web News 693


President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of former Military Administrator of Lagos and Borno states, Brigadier-General Buba Marwa (retd), as Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, confirming the report while responding to a media enquiry on Saturday, said the President had given a nod to the appointment.
“It’s true. The President has approved General Marwa as the new NDLEA Chairman,” he said in a text message.

Before this appointment, Marwa was the Chairman of, Presidential Advisory Committee for the Elimination of Drug Abuse, PACEDA, between 2018 and December 2020, at which time he presided over the development of a blueprint on how to end drug abuse in Nigeria.
A graduate of the Nigerian Military School and the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna, Marwa also has a master’s degree in Public Administration from Harvard University and another master’s degree in International Affairs from the University of Pittsburgh.
The appointment is with immediate effect

The Nation

Crime

Man Bags One Year Jail Term Over Possession of 4.7 Kilos of Indian Hemp

By Web News 719

A 32-year-old man, Babarinde Muritala, has been sentenced to one year imprisonment by a Federal High Court, Osogbo, Osun State, for being in possession of 4.7kg Indian hemp. 

Muritala was arraigned by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, on a one count of unlawful possession of cannabis. 

The convict had told the court during trial that he usually smoke hemp gain strength but that the two bags attributed to him by NDLEA did not belong to him. 

The prosecutor, Mr Ogaga Azuigo, told the court that the defendant was arrested at Akinlalu Village, Modakeke, Osun State. 

He called three witnesses who are officials of the NDLEA and the convict was allowed to defend himself. 

Justice Peter Lifu held that a wrap of Indian hemp which the convict admitted that he was smoking when they arrested him, was enough to believe that Indian hemp was found in his possession. 

The judge convicted him accordingly saying possession has been established and the convict did not deny it. 

However, Mr. D. D. Adegbola, urged the court to be merciful with the convict and discharge him.

The presiding judge, Justice Peter Lifu thereby sentenced Muritala to one-year imprisonment starting from the date of arraignment in February 2019.

Adenitan Akinola

Crime

EFCC Foils Attempt to Smuggle Drugs to Detainees

By Web News 1100

The Ibadan Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, today arrested two ladies, Jumoke Ayodele and Opeoluwa Temitayo, for an attempt to smuggle substances believed to be hard drug to suspects in the custody of the zonal office.

The substance, according to a medical officer with the Commission, is ‘colorado drug’ noted for having dire psychological effect on its abusers. The ladies on their part admitted that the substance was a hard drug, meant for the consumption of the detainees.

To convey the drugs, the duo wrapped them in small cellophane packs, and tucked them inside sausages they brought for the detainees.

Though EFCC detainees are fed by the Commission, they are nonetheless allowed to receive meals from their visiting relatives, which are carefully evaluated by the Commission’s officers to ensure that the detainees do not come to harm as a result of what they ingest.

The suspects, Itiowe Kelvin, Oluwatobi Damilola and Ayodele David were among those arrested during a recent raid on suspected internet fraudsters in the state.

The ladies will be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and possible prosecution.

Sunday Ogunyemi

Crime

NDLEA Intercepts 1800 Kilo of Drugs, Arrests 205 Suspects in Ogun

By Web News 704

In Ogun State, the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, says it has intercepted about one thousand eight hundred kilogrammes of drugs and arrested 205 suspects for drug-related offences within the last one year. 

The State Commander of NDLEA, Ishaku Kwajafa made this known to newsmen in Abeokuta in commemoration of this year’s United Nations International Day against Drugs Abuse and Illicit Drugs Trafficking.

The State Commander of NDLEA, Ishaku Kwajafa said the suspects apprehended by the Command, including twenty-eight women and with one hundred and seventy-seven men, were arrested for possession of drugs, ranging from Cannabis sativa to cocaine and heroin as well as psychotropic substances such as Tramadol and Diazepam.

The NDLEA state commander said 7 persons had been convicted during the one year period while the Command also secured court orders for the destruction of about thirty three thousand, one hundred kilograms of exhibit seized from suspects. 

Mr Kwajafa, who explained that twenty eight suspects had been counselled by the Command while 3 persons were referred to hospitals, called for cooperation of every member of the society towards reducing the cases of drugs abuse and trafficking. 

The event witnessed the parade of two suspects who were arrested during the lockdown at Sagamu interchange axis of the Lagos – Ibadan expressway. 

Assistant State Commander of the Agency in Charge of Operations and Intelligence, Mr Godwin Ameh explained that the two female suspects were arrested at the point of offloading the contraband which they allegedly transported from Owo in Ondo state under the escort of military personnel. 

The suspects, while speaking with on journalists claimed that it was their first attempt and blamed their actions on the prevailing harsh economic condition of the country. 

The Ogun State Command of NDLEA reiterated its commitment to the fight against illicit drugs use and trafficking in collaboration with schools, community development associations and faith based organizations among other stakeholders. 

The theme for this year’s International Day against Drugs Abuse and Illicit Drugs Trafficking is “better knowledge for better care” with the hashtag ‘FactsForSolidarity’. 

Click to listen

Modupeola Sobukola.

Crime

NYSC, EFFC Collaborate to Fight Corruption

By Web News 1284

The Ibadan Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has joined other zonal offices of the commission across the nation to engage Nigerian youths in its campaign against corruption.

Our staff reporter reports that a walk against corruption, involving over five hundred members of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC and staffers of the EFCC was held in Ibadan this morning.

The walk tagged “Nigerian Youths Walk Against Corruption” and “Nigerian Youths Say No To Corruption” started from the EFCC Zonal Office at Iyaganku Quarters through Dugbe-Oke-Bola and back to the zonal office.

Speaking with journalists, Oyo State Commander, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Mrs. Josephine Obi said it was imperative to engage youths in the fight against corruption because most crimes, especially internet fraud were perpetrated by youths.

Similarly, the Acting Head, EFCC Ibadan Zonal Office, Mr. Igeleke Bright noted that the youths were leaders of tomorrow, hence the need to make them ambassadors of the anti-corruption campaign.

NYSC Oyo State Coordinator, Mrs. Eniola Anbekebo said the NYSC would continue to collaborate with EFCC and other relevant agencies to reduce corrupt practices to the barest minimum.

Oluwakayode Banjo

Health

Drug Abuse: Oyo Pledges Support to NDLEA

By Web News 822

In an effort to reduce drug abuse and trafficking, Oyo State government has pledged to support the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, to curb the menace of illicit drug use and peddling.

The Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun gave the pledge when a delegation from NDLEA paid him a courtesy visit in his office.

Dr. Olatunbosun noted that the agency had done well at enlightening citizens on dangers inherent in indiscriminate use of drugs which often led to high rate of mental disorder and broken homes.

The commissioner added that the state government would give necessary backings to anti-drug abuse campaigns of the federal agency through the use of the available media platforms in the state.

The leader of the team, Mrs. Josephine Obi solicited the support of the ministry in the area of publicity of its activities and programmes to reduce the scourge and menace of drug trafficking and abuse.

Mrs. Obi commended the state government for its resolve to reduce poverty and youths’ unrest by paying special attention to agriculture and other welfare programmes, especially in education, which has kept many youths out of the streets and reduce illicit drug peddlers.

Adewumi Faniran