The Federal High Court in Lagos has remanded a suspected drug baron, Sulaimon Jimoh, also known as “Olowo Idi Ogede” or Temo, for 14 days. This decision came after the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) arrested him on Monday.
Justice Akintayo Aluko issued the remand order following a request from the NDLEA. The agency sought to keep Jimoh in their custody for two weeks to facilitate further investigation into his alleged drug activities.
Additionally, the court approved an interim attachment of a grey Mercedes Benz SUV, GLE 156 2022 model, with the registration number 01G-300G, Ogun, and chassis number 4JGFB4JB9NA622055. This vehicle, believed to be a proceed from illicit drug dealings in Cannabis Sativa, is now in the Federal Government’s custody pending the case’s outcome.
The court confirmed that the vehicle, already held by the authorities, was correctly seized. Justice Aluko’s decision came after reviewing an Exparte motion filed by NDLEA’s counsel, Lambert Nor. The motion was backed by Sections 6 and 44 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Section 293 of the Administration Of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, and various sections of the NDLEA Act, 2004.
Lambert Nor presented a 23-paragraph affidavit from Kayode A. Ojo, a litigation officer with the NDLEA, to support the application. The affidavit outlined several reasons for the remand and the vehicle’s seizure.
The NDLEA argued that Jimoh, a high-profile drug lord controlling the Cannabis trade in West Africa, had evaded capture for years despite multiple seizures of his drug consignments. They emphasized the necessity of detaining Jimoh and securing the vehicle to prevent rights violations and ensure a thorough investigation.
The agency also noted that the legal custody of the suspect and his possessions was a statutory requirement and that the court had the discretion to grant the orders requested.
After considering the submissions and evidence presented by the NDLEA, Justice Aluko granted the remand and interim attachment orders. The case is adjourned until August 9, 2024, for a report on the investigation’s progress.
