Court Grants NDLEA Permission To Remand Suspected Drug Baron

Justice Akintayo Aluko of the Federal High Court in Lagos on Friday granted the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) leave to detain an alleged drug baron, Sulaimon Jimoh, popularly known as “Olowo Idi Ogede, who was arrested on Monday by the agency for 14 days.

Justice Aluko also granted an interim order forfeiture of a Grey Coloured Mercedes Benz SUV GLE 156 2022 Model with Registration number 01G-300G, OGUN and Chassis No. 4JGFB4JB9NA622055, belonging to the alleged drug baron, being a proceed of illicit drug dealing in Cannabis Sativa pending the determination of this case.

The judge also ordered that a Grey Coloured Mercedes Benz SUV GLE 156 2022 Model with Registration number 01G-300G, OGUN and Chassis number 4JGFB4JBINA622055 belonging to the suspect, being a proceed of illicit drug dealing in Cannabis Sativa and already it’s custody, as having been correctly held.

The court granted the order after entertaining an Ex Parte motion filed and argued by the Deputy Commander in charge of the prosecution and legal services of the NDLEA in Lagos State, Lambert Nor.

While moving the motion, Nor told the court that the application was brought under sections 6 and 44 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic OF NIGERIA 1999 (as amended amended section293 of the Administration Of Criminal Justice Act, 2015; Sections 3(c), 31(a) 31, 32, 33, 34, 36 and 46 of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Cap. N30 LFN 2004; Order 26 Rules 8 of the Federal High Court Civil Procedure Rules 2009 and under the court’s inherent jurisdiction.

The lawyer further claimed that the Ex Parte motion was supported by an affidavit deposed to by a litigation officer with the agency, Kayode Ojo, and a written address.

The agency listed the following grounds for the application: “that the suspect, Sulaimon Jimoh alias “Olowo idiogede”, a.k.a.  “Temo”  is a wanted high-profile drug baron who is in control of the Cannabis Drugs trade in the whole of the West Africa Region.

“That several tons of the drugs of the Suspect had been seized over the years and the Suspect had always managed to escape arrest.’’

Justice Aluko, after listening to the submission of the NDLEA lawyer and perusing through all the processes filed before the court and citing plethora of authorities, granted the orders and the fixed August 9, 2024, for a report of the investigation.