The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has nabbed a Nigerian businessman based in the South American country, Ezeokoli Sylva, who came into the country with 700grams of cocaine buried in his stomach.
The 59-year-old Ezeokoli, who was returning after 35 years in Brazil, was arrested on Friday, November 29, 2024, at the E-Arrival hall of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja Lagos, upon his return from Sao Paulo, Brazil, on an Ethiopia Airlines flight via Addis Ababa.
NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi said when the suspect was taken for a body scan, the result confirmed that he had foreign objects concealed in his stomach, and as a result, he was placed under excretion observation, during which he expelled 29 wraps of substances that tested positive to cocaine weighing 700grams.
The NDLEA also claimed that in his statement, the suspect claimed he operates an African store in Brazil where he sells provisions, shoes and clothes.
He added that he bought the illicit consignment in Sao Paulo to resell in Nigeria to raise substantial capital to boost his business.
Meanwhile, NDLEA officers of the Directorate of Investigation and General Investigation, DOGI, on Tuesday, November 26, intercepted two consignments containing cocaine and pentazocine injection going to the United Kingdom via a courier company in Lagos.
While the cocaine weighing 200 grams was concealed in local fabrics, 40 ampoules of pentazocine injection weighing 110 grams were hidden in.
In Kano, NDLEA operatives on Thursday, November 28, arrested three suspects: Jamilu Adamu, 38; Umar Musa, 32; and Bunu Ali, 27, with 2,000 ampoules of pentazocine injection and 3,135,000 pills exol-5 at Gadar Tamburawa, Zaria Road.
Also, no fewer than 2 120 kilograms of Ghanaian Loud, a potent strain of cannabis produced in Ghana, were intercepted by NDLEA operatives at the Ilesan Beach, Lagos, on Thursday, November 28.
A suspect, Onibogi Muftau, was arrested in connection with the seizure, while four vehicles that were to convey the shipments from the waterfront were also recovered. This came on the heels of the seizure of 472kg of the same psychoactive substance at Idi-Iroko, Imeko area of Ogun state on Monday, November 25.
EFCC Receives Petition Against Former VC Of FUHSO Alleging Financial Misappropriation
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has acknowledged the receipt of a petition against Professor Innocent Achanya Otobo Ujah, the former vice-chancellor of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo (FUHSO). The petition, submitted by AA Ejembi & Company on behalf of FUHSO’s Governing Council, accused the former vice-chancellor of conspiracy, criminal misappropriation, forgery, and abuse of office. It also calls for a forensic investigation into his financial activities during his tenure and the involvement of other unnamed individuals.
The petition alleges that Professor Ujah ignored multiple invitations by the Governing Council to address concerns about unclear financial dealings. Following his refusal to appear, he was suspended on October 17, 2024, and Professor Ediga Bede Agbo was appointed acting vice-chancellor. Despite his suspension, Professor Ujah allegedly convened an unauthorised meeting of the University Senate on November 4, 2024, during which he purportedly appointed Professor Stephen Obekpa Abah as acting vice-chancellor. The University’s Registrar, Malam Aminu Abba, disclaimed this meeting and its decisions in a press statement on November 6, 2024.
The petition also highlights alleged financial irregularities, including misusing a N72 million grant for operational vehicles. Documents purportedly forged by Professor Ujah enabled questionable payments to Globe Motors, bypassing proper procurement procedures. Furthermore, the petition accuses the former vice-chancellor of using public funds to finance personal chieftaincy titles and related events, even as some university staff remained unpaid for over two years.
Another issue raised in the petition concerns the controversial transfer of ownership of Double K Resorts in Otukpo. Conflicting documents—a Deed of Gift and a Deed of Assignment—were presented, raising questions about the legitimacy of the transaction. The documents belong to a different person but were manipulated and sold to him by one of his conspirators. The Governing Council believes these actions indicate a deliberate effort to obscure financial improprieties and seeks a comprehensive investigation into these matters.
The petition includes several annexures, such as financial records, payment vouchers, and official correspondence, submitted to the EFCC to support its claims. The anti-graft agency confirmed receipt of the petition, numbered EFCC/PET/HQR/3987/2024, at its headquarters in Abuja on November 22, 2024, at 10:56 am.
The EFCC is expected to commence investigations promptly, and the outcome could have significant implications for governance and accountability in Nigeria’s educational institutions. Further updates will be provided as the story develops.
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