PRESS RELEASE
The
Kano State command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has
apprehended two ex-convicts for allegedly smuggling dried weeds that tested
positive for cannabis sativa. The recidivists were caught along Emir Road, Sabon
Gari Kano with a dark green Mercedes Benz Car with registration number AA809AJG
containing compressed 104 blocks of Cannabis sativa weighing 66kgs.
The
NDLEA Kano commander, Mr. Ahmadu Garba while confirming the arrests and seizure
gave the names of the unrepentant drug traffickers as Ejike Martins, 53, and
ThankGod Obums, 35. According to Ahmadu, “we responded swiftly to an intelligence
report on the duo and when we got to their location at Emir Road, they were found
to be in possession of compressed cannabis with a total weight of 66kg. They have
claimed ownership of the drugs stating that it was a joint business. They both
contributed the start-up capital with which they invested in cannabis smuggling”.
Meanwhile,
preliminary investigation had revealed that the suspects had earlier been convicted
for drug trafficking. Findings on Ejike Martins are particularly disturbing. Ejike
who hails from Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State travelled to Lagos
in 1982 in search of job opportunities after his Primary education. Ejike was first
arrested by the NDLEA for drug trafficking in 2005 on his way to Spain at the Lagos
airport.
NDLEA
charged him to court for attempting to export one kilogramme of cocaine to Spain.
He was found guilty and sentenced to two and half years imprisonment but he mischievously
evaded jail term. Three (3) months after his criminal jail evasion, he was apprehended
at the Kano airport with 4kg of cocaine. This second arrest made the NDLEA to
uncover the jail evasion cartel in 2007. Ejike was sentenced to five years jail
term for smuggling 4kg of Cocaine found on him at the Kano Airport. The charge
number is FHC/IL/CR/183/2007, FGN VS Ejike Martins.
In order
for him not to go scot-free on the first conviction, NDLEA re-arrested Ejike at
the gate of the Kano Prison after completing his 4 years jail term and took him
to Lagos to serve the initial jail term that he evaded in 2006. After completing
the arrears of his sentence, he regained his freedom in January 2014. Still not
remorseful, Ejike went back to drug trafficking. This time around, he connived
with one ThankGod Obums to smuggle cannabis from Edo State to Kano. He is
currently being investigated in Kano.
Similarly,
background check on the second suspect, ThankGod Obums revealed that he hails
from Delta State. He gained admission into Delta State University in 2001 but dropped
out of school at 300 levels in 2003. He was first arrested for dealing in
cannabis by the NDLEA in Kano State. He was convicted but after spending three
months in prison custody, he regained his freedom after the wife paid the fine
of three hundred and fifty thousand naira (N350,000).
In
his reaction, the Chairman/Chief Executive of the Agency, Ahmadu Giade reassured
Nigerians that no drug trafficker will go unpunished in the country. “The case
history of Ejike Martins is a reflection of the rising capacity of the NDLEA as
a strong institution. The data management system in the Agency has significantly
improved. Our transition from a short term to a long term undercover operations
is yielding very positive results. The foundation for effective policing is
strongly established and I can reassure Nigerians that no drug dealer shall go
unpunished in the country. Unless drug traffickers quit the criminal act, we shall
continue to bring them to book” Giade stated.
While
expressing delight over the success of his administrative reforms, the NDLEA
boss said that the enduring legacy of best global practices in the Agency is a
reform for posterity.
The
suspects will soon be charged to court.
Ofoyeju
Mitchell
Head,
Public Affairs
08034088136
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