Two operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) yesterday (Wednesday, October 2) testified in an alleged drug trafficking trial of one Jimoh Sulaimon Olowoogede, before Justice Deinde Isaac Dipeolu of a Lagos Federal High Court.
At the resumed trial of Olowoidiogede, the prosecutor, Mrs. Theresa Asuquo, a Director with NDLEA and Lambert Nor, head of the legal department of the Lagos Command of the agency, led the duo of Hussaini Umar Gusau, a Superintendents of Narcotics and Mrs. Patricia Afolabi, a forensic analyst, to testify as fifth and sixth prosecution witnesses (PW) respectively, in evidence as to how the drugs exhibits allegedly linked to Jimoh Sulaimon were found.
The fifth Prosecution Witness, Gusau, in his testimony before the court, said sometime in 2020 while serving at the Apapa Special Area, Marine Unit, Lagos, several arrests were made.
Gusau stated that among the arrests was the one made in 2020 which involved 704 kilograms of Cannabis Sativa, explaining that on that fateful day, he got information that some people were off-loading goods from boat to truck.
Gusau further stated that when he received that information, he immediately alerted his Commander who gave him permission to carry out the operation.
However, by the time he got to the location, they had finished loading and were about to leave, Gusau further narrated.
“We then followed them as the suspects came in three vehicles, a white truck, a Sienna Space car and a Toyota Camry Car,” the NDLEA agent stated, adding that his team eventually blocked the suspects at the gate whereupon they all allegedly jumped out from their different vehicles and started running.
But they were not very lucky as members of his team who gave chase were able to arrest six of them, Gusau stated, pointing out that after the arrest, he asked the driver of the truck Udoka Felix to open the truck but that Udoka told him that Ayambele, one of those arrested was the one that chartered his vehicle.
Gusau said Ayambele in turn told him that Wasiu, one of those arrested, owned the cargo.
“When the truck was eventually opened, it was found that it contained dry weed suspected to be marijuana,” Gusau surmised.
Under cross-examination by the defendant’s lawyer, Chief Benson Ndakara, the witness said the defendant, Jimoh Sulaimon, was not there when the six people were arrested. He also told the court that he did not know the defendant
When asked if the defendant signed any of the exhibits, the witness said ‘No’.
The sixth Prosecution Witness, Mrs. Afolabi, one of the agency’s Forensic Analysts, in her evidence told the court how a sample of the dry weed was sent to her for analysis and that when tested, it proved positive to be marijuana.
When asked by Chief Ndakara if the defendant, Jimoh Sulaimon a.k.a Temo signed any of the documents, the witness said No. And when further asked if she knew the defendant, Afolabi said No.
When the witness was asked if she knew where the sample brought to her for analysis was taken from, the witness said ‘I did not know’.
Meanwhile, the presiding judge, Justice Dipeolu, has adjourned further hearing of the charge till Friday, October 4.
It would be recalled that the defendant, Jimoh Sulaimon Olowoidiogede, also known as Temo, Godfather, 001, was arraigned by the NDLEA before the court, last Thursday, on an amended six-count-charge of conspiracy, being member of a Drug Trafficking Organisation (DTO): import, process, traffick and dealing in 704 kilogrammes of cannabis sativa (Ghana Loud) and concealment of illicit funds.
The offences, according to the NDLEA contravened sections 20 (1) (g); 14 (b); 18 (a); 20(ii); 11(b) and 11(c) of the NDLEA Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and are punishable under Sections 18(3)(7) and 20(2)(b) of the same Act.
Some of the charges against him read: “That you Jimoh Sulaimon Olowoogede, a.k.a “Godfather” “001°, “Temo” (m) adult (being the Kingpin) and Ojo Emmanuel (M), Wasiu Olayinka saliu (M), Taofeek , Noah (M) and Kazeem (M) (all at large) being members of a Drug Trafficking Organisation (DTO) between 2020 and 2024 without lawful authority and within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court engaged in financing drug trafficking and thereby committed an offence as provided for in section 20 (1) (g) of the NDLEA Act Cap N 30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and punishable under section 20(2)(b) of the same Act.
“That you Jimoh Suleimon Olowoidiogede a.k.a “Godfather” “001″, “Temo” (M) adult (being the Kingpin) conspired with Ojo Emmanuel (M) Adult, Wasiu Olayinka Saliu (M) adult, Taofeek Noah (M) adult And Kazeem (M) ADULT (all at large) between 2020 and 2024 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court to convert proceeds of illicit’ trafficking in Narcotic drugs and Psychotropic Substances into ostensible legitimate enterprises end thereby committed an offence as provided under section 18 (a) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 and punishable under section 18(3) and (7) of the same Act.
“That you Jimoh Suleimon Olowoidiogede a.k.a. “Godfather”, “001″, “Temo” (M) adult (being the Kingpin) and Wasiu Olayinka Saliu (M), now at large on or about the in day of November, 2020 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court and without lawful authority dealt in 704 Kilogrammes of Cannabis Sativa (“Ghana Loud”) a drug similar to Cocaine, Heroin and LSD from Ghana to Nigeria and you thereby committed an offence as provided for and punishable under section 11(c) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.”
