NDLEA Clarifies on contempt charges against its bosses

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has described the alleged contempt charge against the Chairman/Chief Executive of the Agency, Ahmadu Giade, and the Director General of the Agency, Mrs. Roli Bode-George and others as defective and an abuse of court process. The applicant, Prince Benjamin Saliu Ikani who is an Assistant Commander was suspended in respect of suit no. FHC/L/CS/1130/13 but has deceitfully sought for refuge under an order granted in 2010 on a separate case.

The applicant was suspended by the Agency for acts amounting to falsehood and prevarication, disobedience to lawful authority and conduct prejudice to discipline.

According to the Director of Prosecution and Legal Services of the Agency, Mr. Sunday Nbona, “Prince Benjamin Saliu Ikani who is involved in series of litigations against the Agency while still on the employment of the Agency continued to behave as an officer above the rules of engagement in the Agency, a situation which is not only dangerous but inimical to discipline in a security organization like the NDLEA”.

The Agency also stated that the Director General, Roli Bode George was not the Director General of the Agency when the alleged order was made in 2010. Furthermore, no Contempt Proceedings or Application by way of Form 48 was served on her with details of the order she is alleged to be in contempt according to the rules of procedure. The applicant has only chosen to include the DG’s name in the application to achieve cheap attention in the eye of the public.

In addition to the above, the Notice of Preliminary Objection filed against the contempt proceedings by the Agency shows that the contempt proceedings filed against the Director General and others has no ground upon which it can stand. The order alleged to have been disobeyed was in suit no. FHC/L/CS/1130/13 currently pending before the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos. The Agency wonders how a contempt proceeding can be initiated at the National Industrial Court in a matter not before the Industrial Court but before the Federal High Court.

The applicant who is fond of seeking undue attention is only trying to raise unnecessary dust by involving the name of the Director General and her husband in a matter that purely borders on the discipline of an employee by his employer- the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.

Ofoyeju Mitchell

Head, Public Affairs