The Federal High Court in Lagos granted the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency’s (NDLEA) request to remand an alleged drug baron, Sulaimon Jimoh, popularly known as ‘Olowo Idi Ogede’, for 14 days.
The court also ordered an interim attachment to the Federal Government of Nigeria of a grey-colored Mercedes Benz SUV GLE belonging to the suspected drug baron, which is a proceeds of illegal drug dealing in Cannabis Sativa, pending the outcome of this case.
Justice Akintayo Aluko issued the orders after hearing an application filed and contested by Lambert Nor, a Deputy Commander in Charge of the NDLEA’s Prosecution and Legal Services in Lagos.
In urging the court to grant the agency’s remand request of the alleged drug baron, Nor told the court that the application was pursuant to Sections 6 and 44 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic Of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended); Section 293 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 20
The NDLEA stated that the suspect, Sulaimon Jimoh alias ‘Olowoidiogede’ a.k.a. ‘Temo’, is a wanted high-profile drug baron who controls the cannabis drug trade throughout the West African region.
“That several tonnes of the suspect’s drugs had been seized over the years, but he had always managed to avoid arrest.
“That other parts of the case should be investigated thoroughly. It is vital to have legal possession of the suspect and the objects seized from him in order to not infringe his rights.
“This is a statutory and procedural necessity. And that the Agency should have proper possession of the vehicles until the investigation/trial is completed. That this honourable court has complete discretion to give the directions sought.”
After hearing the NDLEA lawyer’s submission and reviewing all of the proceedings presented before the court, Justice Aluko cited a multiplicity of authorities before issuing the requested orders.
He adjourned till August 9, 2024, for the report of additional inquiry.
Temo, 57, was apprehended by NDLEA agents on Monday in Lagos’ Mushin district.
The agency stated that this came after initial pushback from him and his gang of hoodlums.
“A reinforcement of about 50 operatives was immediately mobilised to the area while he was attempting to escape in a Mercedes Benz SUV GLE 350 marked 01G-300G,” according to the bureau.
“His attempt to escape by mobilising hoodlums to engage and distract the operatives however failed after which he was overpowered and whisked away from the chaotic scene while his men surrendered to the superior firepower of the anti-narcotic agents who also succeeded in recovering the Mercedes Benz SUV the suspect was found in.”