A Lagos Federal High Court has remanded a Lagos drug baron, Jimoh Sulaimon, popularly called Temo, in the custody of Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS), after his arraignment by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA over alleged several trafficking cases.
Jimoh who is also known as Olowoidigede, Godfather and 001, was arraigned before the court on an amended six count-charge of being member of a Drug Trafficking Organisation (DTO): import, process, traffick and dealing in 704 kilograms of cannabis sativa (Ghana Loud); concealment of illicit funds.
At the drug kingpin’s arraignment on Wednesday, the prosecutor, Lambert Nor, Deputy Command and Head of Legal department, Lagos Command of NDLEA, told the court that Temo and four others namely; Ojo Emmanuel; Wasiu Olayinka saliu; Taofeek Noah and one Kazeem, all said to be at large, have be running a Drug Trafficking Organisation between 2020 and 2024.
He told the court that Temo and others now at large having been engaging in the alleged illegal acts between Nigeria and Ghana.
NDLEA head of legal department also told the court that the defendant and others at large, without lawful authority, engaged in the concealment and disguise of the true source of proceeds of illicit dealing in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.
He told the court that the defendant’s alleged criminal acts contravened sections 20(1)(g); 14(b); 18(a); 20(i); 11(b) and 11(c) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Temo however denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty to the charges. Based on his plea, the prosecutor, Mr. Lambert informed the court that he has four witnesses in court to testify against the drug kingpin.
He also asked the court to remand the defendant till the determination of the charges against him.
However, the drug kingpin lawyer, Chief Benson Ndakara, who is a former staff of the agency, accused the anti-narcotic agency of media trial even before charging his client before a competent court for trial.
Ndaraka said: “there has been so much media hype in this case even before coming to court, but I pray that God give my Lord the strength to hear this matter.”
After the accusing the agency of the media trial of his client, Ndakara also informed the court that the defendant’s bail application has been filed but will argued it at a later date.
Lawyer to the defendant in his further submission while admitting being served with proof of evidence, said in line with section 296 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, he would be asking for day-to-day trial of the matter.
Consequently, the prosecutor called in his witnesses.
The first prosecution witness, Mr Moses Dogo Eldah, an Exhibit keeper with the agency’s Central Exhibits Unit, narrated how on 13th of October 2020 and another exhibits keeper attached to the agency’s Directorate of General Investigation by name J. E Jakyang transferred some exhibits with substances suspected to be weed ( (cannabis Sativa) weighing 704 kilograms to him.
Moses also added that a fiat truck, Siena car, a Toyota Camry car and two phones were also transferred to him. The witness further told the court that the bulk of the exhibits were also transferred to him which he kept in the agency strong room.
The prosecutor then tendered the exhibits and were admitted.
Cross examining the witness, counsel to the defendant, Chief Ndakara if the witness know how the 19 bags containing the bulk of the marijuana were recovered, and the witness said no. The witness also admitted that he did not know how the truck and cars were recovered.
Other three witnesses also narrated the role they played in the case.
Upon conclusion of testimonies of the witnesses, Justice Dipeolu adjourned till October 2 and 4 for continuation of trial.
The judge also ordered that the drug kingpin be remanded in the NCoS’ custody till next adjourned date.
