Elderly traffickers’ affair

Emeka Ibemere writes on the developing trends where old and elderly positioned Nigerian men and women are going into drug trafficking without considering their role as opinion leaders.

As an elder in one of the Churches around his locality in the Lagos State metropolis, his seat at the front- row of the church from where his eyes and those of his pastor could always be in touch concerning issues of the church for the Lord’s business; would be vacant in many years to come.

As dyed-in-the-wool 61 year old pious elder appears to be in the eyes of his pastor and church members, Elder Ogbodo Prince Ifeanyi-Chukwu may lose his first-row position in the church, if he eventually returns back. But why?

If he was eventually jailed according to the prosecution laws against trafficking in illicit drugs weaved against him.

 Now, it’s obvious, that elder Ifeanyi-Chukwu, despite his age and position both in his church and community may find it hard returning to the status quo ante; because of the embarrassment he may have caused his church members and his Reverend.

From the front –row seat, he may be forced to a back bench- row as contrition for dragging the name of the church to the mud.

But what he has lost in his exalted position in the church, Ifeanyi-Chukwu, gained it in smashing the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)’s 2014 record of being the first oldest suspect in drug trafficking this year.

“This is the oldest suspect we have apprehended since January 2014”, NDLEA Commander at the airport, Mr. Hamza Umar stated.

Daily Newswatch learned that operatives of the NDLEA arrested the 61 year-old Ogbodo Prince Ifeanyichukwu, for allegedly trying to smuggle cocaine to Istanbul, Turkey. The powdery substance that tested positive for cocaine was packed inside the suspect’s luggage. The arrest took place at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos during the screening of passengers on a Turkish airline flight.

NDLEA Commander at the airport, Mr. Umar described the suspect as the oldest drug trafficker arrested since January. “This is the oldest suspect we have apprehended since January 2014.

According to him, he was picked up during the routine search operations. It was gathered that officers discovered 1.250kg of cocaine hidden inside his luggage. Umar disclosed that the substance was cleverly concealed such that it gave the operatives much difficult trying to locate the actual hidden place of the drugs. “We have to cut the bag open to detect the drugs. The case is under investigation” Hamza added. Every suspect has right of defence and this is what he said. “I used to sell cooking gas at Sabo, Alaba International Market, Lagos State. Problem started when I lost everything to fire incident in November 2013”, he quipped.

“I was married to two wives and blessed with three children but one of my wives had left me. In my search for a source of livelihood, I was told to take a luggage containing cocaine to Turkey for a fee of $4,500”.

Disclosing further, Ifeanyi-Chukwu added. “They prepared my travel documents and gave me $2,500. I would have collected the balance of $2,000 if I had taken the illicit drugs to Turkey. The plan was so real to me especially when they gave me my travel documents with the part payment. Now I know that I made a big mistake”, the suspect narrated his ordeal.

 Hardship and unemployment have been giving as excuses by suspected traffickers each time they are making confessional statement before NDLEA operatives. NDLEA says the suspect is from Enugu State.

Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade reiterated his call for more support for the anti-narcotics campaign.

“We need the support of all stakeholders in this all-important battle against illicit drugs. It is very shameful for a 61 year-old father to indulge in drug trafficking. We shall continue to prevent the exit points from being used for drug trafficking” Giade stated. Ofoyeju Mitchell, the Agency’s Spokesman told our correspondent on phone that the suspect would soon be charged to court after proper investigations.

On March, 10 2013, the Kogi State Command of the NDLEA apprehended, a 65-year-old woman, and her 31-year-old daughter and an herbalist were arrested for allegedly trading on drugs. The then state commander,  Alhaji Mohammed Idris Bello,  told newsmen while  parading the suspects in Lokoja that the woman, alongside her daughter, were arrested on Lokoja- Abuja road during a stop and search operation, adding that they were caught with two travelling bags filled with 43Kg  of cannabis sativa. The commander disclosed that the command made another breakthrough in Kabba, where it arrested a 55 year old herbalist with 10kg of weeds suspected to be India hemp and five live ammunitions at his residence in Ben Thomas area. The herbalist, according to the NDLEA commander, claimed to be into alternative medicine and a member of vigilance group in Kabba. The herbalist, while speaking with newsmen, claimed that he was using Indian hemp to prepare medicine to cure ulcer. But the 65-year-old mother also stated that it was poverty that made her and the daughter to engage in drug trafficking. First quarter of the month of March, the Command said the state commander made 51 arrests, while eight accused persons were convicted by the Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja, with 14 vehicles confiscated.

Last year as that wasn’t enough, another 65-year old grandmother, Hassan Fatimat Abike, also known as Chika Okoye, was to board a British Airways plane at the Murtala Muhammed international airport in Lagos, southwest Nigeria, when she was arrested with substances suspected to be cocaine. Mitchell Ofoyeju, NDLEA Head of Public Affairs says;

 “It was not her fist time of going to London and the drug was cleverly packed to avoid detection. It was packed in balloons and inserted in ten plastic containers of herbal syrup”.

He quoted the Airport Commander, Mr. Hamza Umar, as saying that the suspect had two international passports that bear Hassan Fatimat Abike. Her passport numbers, he said, are A03348648 and A3771781A.

“She was caught during the screening of British Airways passengers to London. The cocaine found in her possession was packed in balloons and prepared into the shape of the plastic bottles. It was also wrapped in black polythene inside 10 plastic bottles of local herbal mixtures. Each bottle was neatly sealed to avoid suspicion,” Umar was quoted as saying.

During the preliminary investigation, NDLEA revealed that she is also known as Chika Okoye. “She speaks Ibo and Yoruba fluently. Her father is a native of Abeokuta while her mother hails from Owerri, Imo State,” NDLEA said. The agency said that the suspect currently lives alone in Owerri and sells clothes to earn a living. NDLEA alleged that the suspect claimed ownership of the drug in a statement and explained that it was given to her by a friend. Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade was quoted as said. “This is very worrisome considering the fact that she is a grandmother,”

It would be recalled that 84-year-old woman was arrested in USA, for trying to hide stash of cocaine during a raid in her house.

Lillie Smith, 84 was also charged with tampering with evidence after she tried to hide cocaine and marijuana that she had on her when police raided her Albuquerque apartment.

‘It’s definitely not something you see every day,’ Sgt Aaron Williamson, of Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office, was quoted as having stated.

Also on the same page of oldies in drug peddling was a 53 year old Obianwo Josiah Okwuchukwu. The suspected drug trafficker had hidden 2kg of dried weeds suspected to be cannabis inside a consignment of dried bitter leaf. But officials of the NDLEA made the discovery during search operation at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos. Two persons were apprehended with 3.700kg of narcotics. A substance that tested positive for methamphetamine weighing 1.700kg hidden in a false bottom of luggage was also detected during the outward clearance of Arik air passengers to Monrovia.

 According to the NDLEA Airport commander, Mr Hamza Umar, both suspects were caught during routine check. “A 53 year old Obianwo Josiah Okwuchukwu concealed 1.700kg of methamphetamine in his luggage on his way to Monrovia, Liberia while Ifeanyi Okafor, 38, concealed 2kg of dried weeds that tested positive for cannabis sativa in a bag containing dried bitter leaf vegetable meant for export to Doha, Qatar. 53 year old man caught with drugs could spend the next 15 years in jail and by the time he comes out, the world may have collapsed on him

Last year May 14, 2013, a court sentenced a veteran guitarist Fatoke Abiodun to three years imprisonment for drug trafficking. The convict pleaded guilty to one count charge of unlawful exportation of 1.575kg of cocaine on the 26th of February 2013, while ruling was reserved till May.  The defence counsel, Mr Bayo Onifade had pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy since the convict is 62 years old, a husband of three wives with twelve children.

In his ruling, Justice Seidu sentenced the convict to three years imprisonment with effect from the date of arrest. He noted that the appeal of the defence counsel and the fact that the convict pleaded guilty as charged without wasting the time of the court was carefully considered.

Giade on the sentence reiterated his call for stiffer penalty for drug offenders. According to Giade, “punishment must be commensurate to serve as a deterrent to others. The drug is worth several millions of naira and the damage to humanity cannot be quantified”.

It will be recalled that Fatoke Abiodun was apprehended by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on January 1, 2013 at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos. The convict who played guitar for music star, King Sunny Ade for over three decades was caught while attempting to board an Air France flight to Italy. During search, two parcels of cocaine weighing 1.575kg were found industrially hidden in the false bottom of his luggage. Fatoke reportedly blamed his involvement on financial hardship. According to Fatoke, “after my primary education, I only did one year in the secondary school before I went into music. I can play any kind of guitar but my music career is a sad story. I played for King Sunny Ade for 30 years before I was unceremoniously retired in 2007. I was unprepared and without severance money I saw the bitter side of life. This is my first time of involving myself in drug trafficking. I did it out of frustration because at my age I could not provide for my family. I am ashamed of myself”.

 Speaking on how he got involved in drug trafficking, Fatoke explained that he got a call from a friend. “I live in Ibadan with my family. I was invited to Lagos where I was given 50,000 naira and they promised that every arrangement will be ready for me to travel soon. They promised to pay me one million naira. If not for my condition, I would have turned down the offer but it was my last hope to be free from financial difficulty. I was given the bag and my ticket but at the airport NDLEA detected the drug. Since then, I have been in deep pain. I feel bad because I have no one to help me” Fatoke regretted.

Ain the same fate was another 53 year old grandmother apprehended at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja. She was arrested by operatives of the NDEA following the discovery and seizure of 1.00kg of white powdery substance that tested positive for cocaine hidden inside her hair.  The suspect, Giwa Ayoka Sikirat concealed the drug in her beautiful hair style while trying to board an Ethiopian airline Flight ET 910 to Pakistan enroute Addis Ababa and Dubai.

Then NDLEA Abuja Airport commander, Mr Hamisu Lawan said that the suspect who attempted smuggling the drug to Pakistan was arrested during routine check. “There was no prior information on Sikirat as the drug was detected when a female officer carried out a body frisk on her during outward screening of passengers. She was smuggling the drug to Pakistan. We also arrested one 59 year old suspected accomplice, Joseph Umunna an indigene of Anambra State who brought Sikirat to the airport,” Lawan stated.

During interrogation, Giwa Ayoka Sikirat said that life as a single mother is not easy. According to Sikirat, “I have problem with my house rent and school fees of my children. I used to buy goods from Dubai and Pakistan but since my shop at Nnamdi Azikiwe, Lagos Island was demolished, it has been struggles. My husband also abandoned me and the children which made life very difficult. When they approached me to take the drug, I had no option. I was taken to a hotel in Lagos where a hair stylist was brought to fix the drugs. It was properly fixed and they promised to pay me $4,000”.

 Giade while commending the arresting officers said that it was morally bankrupt for a 53 year old mother to smuggle drugs. He disclosed that it was sad for a 53 year old mother to smuggle drugs. According to him, it shows how morally bankrupt and irresponsibility of the suspect who ought to inculcate discipline in her children.

Trailing Sikirat was the arrest by officers of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency who foiled attempt by a 52 year old businessman to export powdery substances that tested positive to ephedrine weighing 25.4kg to Mozambique through the Nigeria Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO), section of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos. His illicit effort was nipped in the bud by anti-drug officials. The suspect Philip Anazodo, an auto parts dealer at Trade Fair Complex, Lagos allegedly packed the drug in sandals meant for export to Mozambique when it was detected during search.
 In all,  Gregory Johnson, a teacher while describing the activities of old and responsible men in illicit drug trafficking said it was a sign of decayed society and collapse of moral rectitude of some individuals who have no shame and conscience in a falling state like ours. The teacher also added that quest for get-rich-quick and greedy are the factors pushing an older person to take the route of dishonesty in making a living. Investigations in the past have shown that the moral debased society and lack of principled and disciplined life contributes to the influx of elderly ones in crime. Criminal experts and psychologists argued that crime has no age barrier. To Deacon Mathew Dike, “it’s about family upbringing and low- self-esteem. It is the wind of change. The old ones don’t consider their responsibility in the society as role models and that is why it’s difficult to raise signpost of role models in our today’s world,” Dike suggested.