Justice Akintayo Aluko of the Federal High Court in Lagos on Tuesday granted permission to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to declare four suspected drug traffickers wanted.
The suspects are Olarenwaju Ramon Abdulai, also known as Alhaji Loyingbo; Olufemi Akande Abioye, known as ‘Igbono’ or ‘Baba Eje’; Femi Iwaya, also known as ‘Ade Iwaya’; and Alate Kafy Bakare Bukki, also known as Kaffy Travels. The NDLEA is investigating all of them.
The suspects are said to be associates of an alleged drug dealer, Suleiman Aremu Ganiu, also known as Barryshine, who is currently on trial for drug trafficking-related offences.
The court granted the order following an ex-parte application filed by counsel to the NDLEA, Abu Ibrahim.
Ibrahim had informed the court that the four suspects, who had been evading arrest, were implicated in drug trafficking cases involving the Ganiu.
In the ex-parte application, the NDLEA sought an order from the court to declare the suspects wanted and to issue a public notice displaying their photographs.
The NDLEA’s request stems from allegations that Ganiu has been charged with conspiracy and unlawful exportation of narcotic drugs to Saudi Arabia and Doha, United Arab Emirates.
On November 13, 2022, one Ajisegiri Kehinde Sidika was arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Ikeja, Lagos, during the outward clearance of a Qatar Airways flight to Saudi Arabia, with 400 grams of cocaine concealed in footwear.
During the investigation into Sidika’s arrest, Abdulai and Ganiu were implicated.
It was also revealed that Abidoye acted as the intermediary between the courier, Abdulai and Ganiu.
On November 24, 2022, another arrest was made at the MMIA when one Lawal Lateef Oyenuga attempted to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Saudi Arabia with 400 grams of cocaine hidden in footwear; Ganiu was again implicated as the financier of the drug trafficking operation. Justice Akintayo Aluko adjourned the case until March 28, 2025.
