A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has remanded a Lagos-based 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 Justice Deinde Isaac Dipeolu 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 and
The prosecutor, Lambert Nor, Deputy Command and Head of Legal department, Lagos Command of NDLEA, at the arraignment of the drug kingpin today, told the court the Temo and four others namely; Ojo Emmanuel; Wasiu Olayinka saliu; Taofeek Noah and one Kazeem, all said to be at large, runs a Drug Trafficking Organisation, between 2020 and 2024.
He told the court that Temo and others now at large run the alleged illegal act 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 also known as Olowoidigede and Godfather 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 NDLEA but now a private lawyer, 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 accusing the agency of the media trial of his client, he also informed the court that the defendant’s bail application has been filed but will be moved at a later date.
Counsel 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 was ordered to call in his witnesses.
At the resumed of trial on Wednesday, Lambert Nor called four prosecution witnesses who are mainly exhibits keepers and forensic experts with each of them giving evidence on the role they played in the case and also tendered several exhibits which were admitted in evidence without objection from the defense counsel.
The exhibits tendered and admitted at todays sitting included 19 jute bags all weighing 704 kilograms of cannabis sativa, a Camry car, two phones,a fiat truck among others.
The first prosecution witness, Mr Moses Dogo Eldah an Exhibit keeper with the NDLEA Central Exhibits Unit, narrated how on the 13th of October 2020 another exhibits keeper attached to the agency’s Directorate of General Investigation Unit by name J.E Jakyang transferred some exhibits with substances suspected to be weed (cannabis Sativa) weighing 704 kilograms to him.
He also stated that a fiat truck, Siena car, a Toyota Camry car and two phones were also transferred to him.
According to the witness 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 all we’re admitted.
Cross examining the witness, counsel to the defendant, Ndakara ask 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 and that this would be the second time he would see the defendant.
Other three witnesses also narrated the role they played in the case.
Consequently, Justice Dipeolu adjourned further trial 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.
The Amended charge against the defendant reads: “That you Jimoh Sulaimon Olowoogede, a.k.a “Godfather” “001°, “Temo” (m) adult (being the Kingpin) and Ojo Emmanuel (M), Wasiu Olayinka saliu (M), Taofeek , Noah (M) and Kazeem (M) (all at large) being members of a Drug Trafficking Organisation (DTO) between 2020 and 2024 without lawful authority and within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court engaged in financing Drug Trafficking and thereby committed an offence as provided for in section 20 (1) (g) of the NDLEA Act Cap N 30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and punishable under section 20(2) (b) of the same Act.
“That you Jimoh Suleimon Olowoidiogede a.k.a “Godfather” “001”, “Temo” (M) adult (being the Kingpin) between 2020 and 2024 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court conspired with Ojo Emmanuel (M), Wasiu Olayinka Saliu (M), Taofeek Noah (M) And Kazeem (M) (all at large) to import, process, traffick and otherwise deal in Cannabis Sativa (Ghana Loud) a drug similar to Cocaine, Heroin & LSD using Managers, Couriers and Associates and thereby committed an offence as provided for and punishable under section 14 (b) of the NDLEA Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
“That you Jimoh Suleimon Olowoidiogede a.k.a “Godfather” “001”, “Temo” (M) adult (being the Kingpin) conspired with Ojo Emmanuel (M) Adult, Wasiu Olayinka Saliu (M) adult, Taofeek Noah (M) adult And Kazeem (M) ADULT (all at large) between 2020 and 2024 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court to convert proceeds of illicit’ trafficking im Narcotic drugs and Psychotropic Substances into ostensible legitimate enterprises end thereby committed an offence as provided under section 18 (a) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 and punishable under section 18(3) and (7) of the same Act.
“That you Jimoh Suleimon Olowoidiogede a.ka. “Godfather” “001°, “Temo” (M) adult (being the Kingpin) and Ojo Emmanuel (M), Wasiu Olayinka Saliu (M), Taofeek Noah (M) and Kazeem (M) (all at large) between 2020 and 2024 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court without lawful authority engaged in the concealment and disguise of the true source of proceeds of illicit dealing in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances to wit: Cannabis Sativa (Ghana Loud) and you thereby committed an offence as provided for and punishable under section 20(ii) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
“That you Jimoh Suleimon Olowoidiogede a.k.a “GODFATHER” “001”, “Temo” (M) adult (being the Kingpin) and Wasiu Olayinka Saliu (M), now at large on or about the Ilm day of November, 2020 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court and without lawful authority trafficked in 704 Kilogrammes of Cannabis Sativa (“Ghana Loud”) a drug similar to Cocaine, Heroin and LSD from Ghana to Nigeria and you thereby committed an offence as provided for and punishable under section 11(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
“That you Jimoh Suleimon Olowoidiogede a.k.a. “Godfather”, “001”, “Temo” (M) adult (being the Kingpin) and Wasiu Olayinka Saliu (M), now at large on or about the in day of November, 2020 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court and without lawful authority dealt in 704 Kilogrammes of Cannabis Sativa (“Ghana Loud”) a drug similar to Cocaine, Heroin and LSD from Ghana to Nigeria and you thereby committed an offence as provided for and punishable under section 11(c) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
