20 March 2008
Lagos — Chief Executive, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Ahmadu Giade, has commended the judiciary over conviction of a drug baron and Lagos socialite, Akindele Ikumoluyi, popularly known as Ile- Eru.
Giade said, "the verdict is a clear testimony that the country is winning the war against narcotics and psychotropic substances," and described the verdict as sweet and timely, considering the time and resources the Agency has deployed into prosecuting the case.
"The victory has vindicated our doggedness and determination to bring the big fishes drug barons to their knees, irrespective of all odds. I am pleased with the performance of the judiciary. To us, this is phase one, because our next line of action is to apply for forfeiture of all assets traced to him, in accordance with the law".
"We have others on our trail list and at the appropriate time, they will be arrested and prosecuted."
Akindele was jailed for five years each on a four-count charge of sponsoring hard drug trafficking, by Justice Tijani Abubakar of the Federal High Court, Lagos, after pleading guilty to all charges.
The convict was arrested in March 2006, by officers of the Agency, for master-minding several cases of illicit drug trafficking.
His application for bail was rejected, and he went to the court of Appeal to challenge decision of the trial judge for remanding him in prison custody, pending determination of the case. The appellate court however dismissed the application, in line with the argument of Mr Femi Oloruntoba, NDLEA Director of Prosecution and Legal Services, who is the lead counsel, that the application amounted to an abuse of judicial process.
It is worthy of note that the refusal of the trial judge to grant the convict's bail application was instrumental to the success of the case, as he was given no choice than to plead guilty.
The defence counsel, Wahab Shittu, described the verdict as victory for democracy.
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