The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has called on the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to provide evidence supporting its allegations against Deputy Senate Leader, Yisa Ashiru. This comes after the NDLEA accused Ashiru of involvement in drug-related activities following comments he made criticizing the agency during a Senate debate.
The NDLEA, through its spokesperson Femi Babafemi, alleged that Ashiru’s residence in Ilorin, Kwara State, was raided based on intelligence that it was being used as a hub for drug activities. During the raid, two of Ashiru’s aides were arrested, while one managed to escape.
The agency claimed drugs were recovered from the senator’s residence during the operation. “The personal house of the senator in GRA Ilorin, the capital of Kwara State, had been raided…where drugs and illicit substances were recovered,” the NDLEA’s statement claimed.
Ashiru had earlier accused the NDLEA of corruption during a Senate session last week, referring to it as “the most corrupt and compromised agency” while supporting a bill to establish the National Institute for Drug Awareness and Rehabilitation. The agency’s allegations followed shortly after his remarks.
Speaking during Tuesday’s plenary, Senate President Akpabio dismissed the accusations as possibly driven by personal vendetta. He questioned the timing of the NDLEA’s claims, noting that they surfaced only after Ashiru’s critical comments in the Senate.
“If the NDLEA felt you were a drug baron, they should have arrested you before you turned 30. They should have brought it up before you were 50, 60, or even 65. Not at the age of 68, just after you made contributions on the Senate floor.”
He continued, “I understand that someone went on television quoting what you said on the Senate floor.
“Nigerians seem unaware that whatever is said here is privileged, covered by immunity, and not subject to debate on television or radio.
“You have never been invited or charged by the NDLEA, and as far as we know in the Senate, you are a gentleman who doesn’t even take alcohol. This is a serious issue, and we must call the NDLEA to order.”
Akpabio then called for an ad hoc committee to be set up to “invite the NDLEA and others involved to justify these allegations,” warning that if the agency failed to do so, “the Senate will take drastic action.”
Akpabio further added, “Injury to one is injury to all.”
In response to the situation, the Senate set up a six-member ad hoc committee to investigate the allegations. The committee, led by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, includes members from different political parties and regions, reflecting a non-partisan approach to the inquiry.
Ashiru, in his defense, reiterated his innocence and described the NDLEA’s accusations as “mischievous and misleading.” He explained that his comments during the Senate debate were motivated by concerns from his constituency about the harmful effects of drug consumption and trafficking.
Ashiru stated that he supported the bill to establish a rehabilitation center to help address these issues. He further clarified that he has no involvement with drugs, saying, “I am 68 years old and cannot even identify cannabis or any drug… I don’t take alcohol, drugs, or even carbonated drinks.”
Ashiru added that the NDLEA’s actions were an attempt to silence his contributions to national debates.
The Senate President warned the NDLEA that the Senate would take “drastic action” if the agency fails to provide evidence supporting its claims. Akpabio also emphasized that “injury to one is injury to all,” urging the Senate to protect its members from unfounded accusations aimed at curbing free expression.
