NDLEA seizes another 175,000 bottles of codeine from India
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says it has again intercepted another consignment of 175,000 bottles of the codeine-based syrup imported from India at the Port Harcourt Port Complex in Onne, Rivers State.
Director, Media and Advocacy NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, Femi Babafemi, who made this known in a statement on Sunday, June 9, pointed out that this comes barely a week after another shipment of 175, 000 bottles of the same drug was seized at the same port.
Babafemi said the two seizures followed earlier intelligence, which made the agency to request that the shipment be stepped down for 100 percent examination.
He said the latest seizure of 875 cartons of codeine containing 175,000 bottles and weighing 26,250kg, was made on Friday 7th June 2024 during a joint examination by NDLEA, Customs Service and other security agencies.
Babafemi said the container marked HASU 4787890 from India was enroute C to C bonded terminal in Enugu.
The statement indicated that in the same vein, NDLEA officers of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation (DOGI) on Wednesday 5th June intercepted five different parcels containing illicit drugs concealed in ladies’ clothes and synthetic hair going to the United States and United Kingdom.
The statement reads, “Some of the seized drugs include 620 ampoules of pentazocine injection, promethazine and other opioids. The drug consignments were seized at a courier firm in Lagos.
“In Kebbi state, NDLEA operatives on patrol along Kalgo-Birnin Kebbi road on Saturday 8th June arrested a 32-year-old Nigerien, Hassan Mummuni with 4,000 pills of diazepam and 1.250kg cannabis, concealed in four pesticide tanks, while operatives in Gombe state same day arrested Ibrahim Abubakar (aka Alhajiji) at Herwagana, with 6,740 pills of tramadol and 20,000 tablets of diazepam.
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“Not less than 1,098 bottles of codeine-based syrup were recovered from a suspect, Onyekachi ThankGod Iwula, 42, following his arrest in a commercial bus at Aloma junction, Otukpa, Ogbadibo LGA, Benue state.
“In Bauchi state, NDLEA officers on patrol along Ningi-Kano road on Wednesday 5th June arrested a 20-year-old lady, Hasana Usman, with 25 blocks of cannabis sativa that weighed 28.2kg, while their counterparts in Yobe state nabbed Ali Mohammed, 42, along Kano-Potiskum road, with 19,000 pills of tramadol 225mg concealed in a black sack and the suspect’s travelling bag.
“In Oyo state, 57-year-old Oladimeji Samson was arrested in a commercial bus at the Ibadan end, of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway with 79 blocks of cannabis sativa weighing of 44.4kg and 48 grams of ecstasy, all concealed in the engine compartment under the driver’s seat of the bus.
“Not less than 17,980 pills of tramadol and other opioids were seized from a suspect, Ali Isiaka Mohammed, 36, following his arrest at Ganaja village, Lokoja LGA, Kogi state, while the duo of Blessing Samuel, 35, and Unnanchi Mike, 34, were arrested with 804 bottles of codeine syrup at Narayi, Kaduna state. Also in Kaduna, Tijjani Umar, 37, and Yahaya Suleman, 35, were arrested with 33.9 kilograms of cannabis sativa at Lafiya area, Kudan local government area of the state.”
Babafemi said at least, nine suspects including Salisu Sanda, 48, and James Andrew, 25, were arrested by NDLEA operatives during a raid at Toaabora hills area of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja on Saturday 8th June with a total of 83.01kg cannabis recovered from them.
He said with the same drive, Commands and formations of the Agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, sensitization activities in schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week.
“These include: WADA enlightenment lecture for students and teachers of Dibal Progressive Academy, Kano; students of Muslim Comprehensive High School, Saki, Oyo state; students and staff of St. David Grammar School, Ile-Ife, Osun state; students of Wisdom Rules College, Ukpakiri, Abia state; traditional rulers and community leaders in Ilorin, Kwara state as well as a WADA advocacy visit to the Cross River state governor, Senator Bassey Otu.
“While commending the officers and men of PHPC, Gombe, Benue, Kogi, Kaduna, Oyo, Yobe, Bauchi, Kebbi and FCT Commands as well as those of DOGI for the arrests and seizures, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) noted their drug supply reduction efforts balanced with WADA sensitization activities while he charged them and their compatriots across the country to maintain the zeal and tempo,” he said.
Nnamdi Kanu returns to court, apologises over attacks on judge, others
The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, appeared before the Federal High Court in Abuja for the latest hearing in his ongoing trial for alleged treason. This session marked a transition in the case, with Justice James Omotosho now overseeing proceedings.
Additionally, Kanu’s defense team saw a leadership change, with senior lawyer Kanu Agabi (SAN) stepping in as the new lead counsel, while the prosecution remains led by Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN).
At the outset of the hearing, Agabi requested permission to address the court, where he extended an apology on behalf of his client. He acknowledged past tensions, emphasizing that it was necessary to offer regrets to Justice Binta Nyako, the prosecution team, and Kanu’s own legal representatives.
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He noted that Kanu had harbored anger for an extended period and admitted that criticisms directed at Justice Nyako had been unwarranted. The defense counsel also apologized to the prosecution team, led by Awomolo, as well as to the chairman of the Body of Benchers, acknowledging their respected positions.
Describing Kanu as a good man, Agabi stressed the importance of allowing room for human error, urging that efforts should be focused on resolution rather than conflict.
In response, the prosecution accepted the apology and assured that efforts would be made to expedite the trial. Awomolo acknowledged the complexities and emotions surrounding the case, recognizing the pressures involved.
Justice Omotosho also weighed in, remarking on the toll the lengthy legal battle may have taken on Kanu. He pointed out that Kanu, who was 47 when the trial began in 2015, is now 57 and remains uncertain about his future. The judge suggested that the prolonged nature of the case could have contributed to some of Kanu’s previous remarks.
Additionally, Justice Omotosho extended an apology to the prosecution on Kanu’s behalf.
Akpabio told me I’d make good movements with my waist – Natasha
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, has accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of making repeated lewd and suggestive remarks towards her, both in and outside the Senate chamber.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended from the Senate on March 6 for what was described as “gross misconduct and unruly behavior” following a seating arrangement dispute with Akpabio.
However, her suspension came just a day after she formally submitted a sexual harassment petition against the Senate President on the Senate floor.
In an interview with the BBC, Akpoti-Uduaghan claimed that the allegations of misconduct were merely a cover to silence her.
She alleged that Akpabio frequently made inappropriate advances toward her, sometimes in the presence of other senators.
“He would squeeze my hands in a very suggestive way,” she said.
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Recalling a particular incident, she stated, “There was a time I forgot to wear my ring because I rushed to work. And there were about five senators there. And Akpabio said, ‘Oh Natasha, you are not wearing your ring… is this an invitation to treat?’”
She further alleged that Akpabio made sexually charged comments about her marriage.
“There was another time he made a statement like, ‘Natasha, your husband is really enjoying. It looks like you’d be able to make good movements with your waist.’”
“He makes such sexist statements. And then they (other senators) all laughed,” she added.
During the interview, Akpoti-Uduaghan broke down in tears when asked about the impact of her allegations and the backlash she has faced.
“People don’t understand what it means to carry this. Maybe we don’t talk about it enough in Nigeria or Africa,” she said, her voice breaking.
“I just want a place where I would just work. I thought the worst was over, but I guess for a woman, it’s never really over, right?”
Despite the challenges, the senator said she has received support from female parliamentarians across Africa, who have reached out to share their experiences of similar struggles in male-dominated legislative environments.
Why we want Natasha out of Senate – Kogi Central constituents
The Constituents of Kogi Central Senatorial District has explained why they want to recall Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, their representative in the Nigerian Senate back home.
“For us as Ebira people, we are determined to recall Akpoti-Uduaghan. While she is at home, she may learn the rudiments of representing her constituents better” the indigenes across the five Local Government Areas of the Senatorial district, under the aegis of Kogi Central Elites Forum (KCEF), said in a statement jointly signed by Alh. Ibrahim Abdulazeez Ibrahim (President) and Prince Akerejola Johnson (Secretary) in Lokoja.
The concerned indigenes, who are of Ebira extraction like the embattled senator, said they resolved to bring the embattled senator back home, given the alleged embarrassment she had caused the senatorial district internationally.
They condemned, in strong terms, insinuations that the recall process against the lawmaker representing Kogi Central in the National Assembly, was not endorsed by majority of the electorate in the area.
They urged Nigerians to disregard the deliberate mischief suggesting that people were deceived to come out for the recall exercise.
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“No one is sponsoring this recall. Our people are largely united on this cause. From the history of Ebiras, you know we cannot be deceived.
“Even some of us that supported Natasha on social media then are no longer with her. We cannot trade the integrity of the state and Nigeria.
“A matter as simple as not taking an assigned seat in the senate should not be one that would warrant a “sexual harassment” national embarrassment of this nature. This is not who we are as Ebiras.”
On the issue of INEC disclaiming the exercise, the constituents said the response was misconstrued.
“INEC has no official role until after this signature collection phase. We are the ones that are doing the recall, the petitioners. We have to ensure that the required threshold is met before formally presenting it for verification. This is where INEC comes in.”
They urged the public to disregard any mischievous interpretation of the recall process, saying some politicians would always release statements based on their leanings and interests.
“Ordinarily, we would never have allowed anyone to intimidate our daughter if she was on her right. But in this particular instance, she disrespected the senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which has clear rules and went on to introduce slants that have never been heard of in the history of the senate.
” This is not about content creation like many people have said.”
The national assembly has been hit by allegations of sexual harassment against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, after Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan allegedly refused to respect the senate rules and was penalised.
(NAN)
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