Alleged N3.7m Bribe: Court issues summons on Lagos NDLEA commander, others

Justice Akintayo Aluko of a Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, has issued a summon on the Lagos State Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Umar Isa Adoro; the Officer-in-Charge (O/C) of Squad A, Chief Superintendent of Narcotics (CSN) Quatu Mohammed and one Officer Sanni, following a N3.7million bribery allegation made against them by a convict, Mrs Fatima Hassan.

The judge specifically summoned the Lagos NDLEA boss alongside others to appear before the court to respond to the claim.

It would be recalled that Mrs Hassan, a mother of three, had alleged that Sanni, who she described as the IPO (Investigative Officer) for her case, extorted N3.7 million from her family.

The convict further alleged that she was in the NDLEA’s custody for allegedly unlawfully dealing in Cannabis Sativa, otherwise known as Indian Hemp.

Mrs Hassan insisted that the IPO had requested the said sum under the guise of using the same to facilitate her bail for a drug-related offence, but that she was neither granted bail nor was the sum returned to her.

The convict told the court that the NDLEA declared N2.7million of the sum as proceeds of crime, while it kept back N1m.

The allegations came up in the course of Mrs Hassan’s prosecution by the NDLEA on the charge designated FHC/L/CS/290C/2022 before Justice Aluko.

Mrs Hassan was arraigned on a count charge of dealing in 33.5 kg of Cannabis Sativa without lawful authority, contrary to and punishable under Section 11(c) of the NDLEA Act.

She pleaded guilty and was convicted.

While reviewing the facts of the case, the prosecution counsel, LN. Nor sought to tender eight exhibits, including a monetary sum of N2.5 million in, N1000 notes, described as proceeds of crime.

But counsel for the defence, O. Ojakovo, opposed and instead requested the return of N3.7m to the convict’s family.

The case has been adjourned until October 11, 2023, for further proceedings.

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