The scheduled continuation of trial of an alleged drug baron, Alhaji Jimoh Sulaimon Olowoidiogede, popularly called Temo, before a Lagos Federal High Court, was been stalled today, due to the absence of trial judge, who is said to be outside the court’s jurisdiction for an official assignment.
The alleged drug baron is being prosecuted by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). tried before the court presided over by Justice Deinde Dipeolu on a six-count of conspiracy, trafficking 704 kilogrammes of cannabis sativa (Ghana Loud), running a Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO), and money laundering.
The offences according to the NDLEA prosecutors, Mrs. Theresa Asuquo, a Director in the NDLEA and Lambert Nor, Head of Legal Department, Lagos State Command of the NDLEA, 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.
He has denied the alleged crimes and pleaded not guilty to the charges. But the court is yet to rule on his bail application.
So far, NDLEA has called seven witnesses in the trial.
Further trial of the drug kingpin has been adjourned to October 31 and November 1, 2024.
At the last trial of the drug lord, an operative of the anti-narcotics agency, Zofun Setonji told the court how the agency tracked and arrested the drug lord, who is also called Godfather and 001, on July 22, 2024.
Setonji, while being led in evidence by the prosecutors told the court that the drug lord’s arrest followed credible intelligence and sustained surveillance.
Setonji in his evidence before the court said; ‘I received intelligence in April 2023 about Temo’s plan to smuggle drugs into Nigeria from Ghana via the waterways.
“Acting on the intelligence, myself and my team laid an ambush at Eleko Beach on May 4, 2023, after confirming the movement of the drug consignment.”
He further stated that despite an initial tip-off that the NDLEA was monitoring them, the team intercepted two trucks loaded with 202 bags of marijuana weighing 8.58 tonnes.
“That after the drug seizure, I received a threatening phone call from Temo, who said, “You have the guts to seize my drugs.
“I know where you live, and I will kill you and kidnap your wife and children. And I replied, and said, before you kill me, I will arrest you.”
Following this exchange, Setonji said he received further intelligence about Temo’s whereabouts.
He said the informant told him that Temo would attend a party in Sango Ota, Ogun State.
The witness further told the court that to gain entry, he purchased a special cap, which served as an invitation, and attended the party.
“Armed with this information, I gave my informant N3,500 for the cap and on the day of the party, I went to the party with the informant.
“On getting there, the informant stood outside while I went inside to the party venue with the cap on,” he said.
He stated that he recognised Temo, who arrived wearing a punk hairstyle and a long necklace, as described by the informant.
According to Setonji, on July 22, 2024, during a raid in the Igbarere area of Mushin, Lagos, he and his team encountered Temo, who was in a Mercedes Benz.
He added that upon sighting the NDLEA officers, Temo attempted to flee but was arrested despite resistance and an attempted assault on the team by local hoodlums.
Another NDLEA officer, Adewole Timothy, corroborated Setonji’s testimony, stating that after receiving intelligence about Temo’s drug activities in 2023, he conducted surveillance to verify the information.
He said that on July 25, 2024, during an operation at Igbarere Street, Mushin, Temo escaped when he saw the NDLEA officers, but his driver, Sulaimon Shehu, was arrested.
“The team found and seized 18 bags of cannabis sativa weighing 252 kg from Temo’s warehouse,” Timothy said.
Under cross-examination by Temo’s lawyer, Benson Ndakara, Timothy revealed that Shehu admitted in his statement that he was a close associate of Temo and that the drugs belonged to Temo.
Timothy also stated that although they did not verify the warehouse ownership from the Land Registry, the informant confirmed that it belonged to Temo.
Another prosecution witness, NDLEA exhibit keeper Nketai Benjamin, testified that he conducted tests on the confiscated drugs, which confirmed they were cannabis sativa.
Meanwhile, the test results, along with other related documents, were tendered in court as evidence.
Temo’s counsel, Ndakara, applied for bail for his client, while the prosecution.
Upon conclusion of the witnesses’ evidence, Deinde Dipeolu adjourned the hearing to October 15 and 16, 2024.
