Two operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Wednesday, 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 trail of Olowoidiogede, the prosecutor, Mrs. Theresa Asuquo, a Director with NDLEA led Lambert Nor, the head of legal department of Lagos Command of the agency, led the duo of Hussaini Umar Gusau, a Superintendents of Narcotics and Mrs. Patricia Afolabi, a forensic analyst, testified as fifth and sixth prosecution witnesses (PW) respectively.
In evidence as to how the drugs exhibits allegedly linked to Jimoh Sulaimon, the fifth Prosecution Witness, Gusau in his testimony before the court said sometimes in the year 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, adding that on that day he got an information that some people are off-loading goods from boat to a truck.
Gusau further stated that he immediately alerted his Commander who gave him permission to carry out the operation. And that on getting to the place they have finished loading and was about leaving.
“We the followed them as the suspects came in three vehicles, a white truck, a Sienna Space car and a Toyota Camry Car”.
The witness further stated that his team eventually blocked the suspects at the gate that they all jumped out from their different vehicles and started running, but they were able to arrest six of them.
He added 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 that were arrested was the one that chartered his vehicle.
Gusau said Ayambele in turn told him that Wasiu one of those arrested owns the cargo.
“When the truck was eventually opened, it was found that that it contained dry weed suspected to be marijuana.
Under cross-examination by defendant’s lawyer, Chief Benson Ndakara, the witness said the defendant, Jimoh Sulaimon 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 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 know the defendant, Afolabi said No.
When the witness was asked if she knows where the sample brought to her for analysis was taken from, the witness said ‘I did not know’.
Meanwhile, the presiding judge, Justice Dehinde Dipeolu, has adjourned further hearing of the charge till Friday, October 4, 2024.
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 kilograms of cannabis sativa (Ghana Loud); 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 punishable under Sections 18(3)(7) and 20(2)(b) of the same Act.
