***NDLEA Busts Multi-Million Drug Rings

A shocking drug smuggling attempt was thwarted as Ezeokoli Sylva, a 59-year-old Nigerian businessman, was arrested at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, with 700 grams of cocaine buried in his stomach.
After 35 years in Brazil, Sylva was caught by National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) operatives on Friday, November 29, upon arrival from São Paulo via Ethiopian Airlines.

NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi revealed that a body scan detected foreign objects inside Sylva. “He expelled 29 wraps of cocaine during excretion observation,” Babafemi said. Sylva admitted purchasing the drugs in Brazil to resell in Nigeria, hoping to boost his business capital.

In a massive crackdown, NDLEA intercepted two drug consignments bound for the UK on November 26, with 200 grams of cocaine hidden in local fabrics and 110 grams of pentazocine injections in cartons.

In Kano, three suspects—Jamilu Adamu (38), Umar Musa (32), and Bunu Ali (27)—were arrested on November 28 with 2,000 ampoules of pentazocine and over 3 million pills of exol-5 along Zaria Road.

NDLEA operatives also seized 2,120 kilograms of “Ghanaian Loud,” a potent cannabis strain, at Ilesan Beach, Lagos, arresting Onibogi Muftau and impounding four vehicles. Earlier, 472 kilograms of the same substance were seized in Ogun State.

In Edo State, a raid on November 28 led to the arrest of Monday Onyenemue (60) and Evans Omogiede (42) with 185.6 kilograms of cannabis and a Toyota Previa van in Benin City.
The NDLEA continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign with sensitization lectures at schools and markets across Nigeria. NDLEA Chairman, retired Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa, praised the agency’s operatives for their relentless efforts in combating drug trafficking and abuse.

“These operational successes demonstrate our commitment to eradicating drug trafficking and abuse,” Marwa said.
(nationalupdate.ng)

The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Jabi has sentenced Mr. Martins Ugwu to a four-year jail term for impersonation and fraud.
Ugwu, who used the medical certificate of his best friend, Dr. George Daniel Davidson, to secure employment at the Federal Ministry of Health, was convicted on seven counts brought against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

The ICPC had revealed that Ugwu used the forged certificate to gain employment in 2006 and worked as a medical doctor for 10 years, earning ₦17.2 million in salaries and allowances.
His fraudulent activities included obtaining a staff identity card, applying for annual leave, and enrolling in a postgraduate program in Epidemiology Practice.

In 2016, the ICPC charged Ugwu under Section 25 (1)(a) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
The charges included making false statements to the Federal Civil Service Commission to gain employment, a crime punishable under Section 25 (1)(b) of the same act.

During the sentencing hearing on Tuesday in Abuja, ICPC Counsel Dr. Osuobeni Ekoi Akponimisingha called for the restitution of all funds Ugwu earned fraudulently.
He cited Sections 319 and 321 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) to support the request for recovery of public funds.

Presiding over the case, Justice Abubakar Idris Kutigi described Ugwu’s actions as a dangerous form of malpractice, highlighting the risks posed by quack doctors to public safety.
He sentenced Ugwu to six months imprisonment on each of the seven counts, to run consecutively, amounting to a total of four years and two months

In addition, the court ordered Ugwu to refund the ₦17.2 million he earned during his fraudulent tenure.
Failure to comply with the restitution order would result in an additional one-year prison term.
Justice Kutigi emphasized that the judgment should serve as a deterrent to others engaging in impersonation and fraudulent practices, particularly in sensitive fields such as medicine.

“This case underscores the critical need for integrity in professional certifications and public service,” he stated, adding that strict enforcement of laws is essential to maintain public trust and safety.

The ICPC welcomed the ruling, reiterating its commitment to eradicating corruption and protecting the integrity of public institutions.

A 23-year-old robbery suspect, Godwin Emmanuel, has confessed to stealing a police officer’s phone while being transported in a patrol van to the Osun State Police Command. Emmanuel, along with suspects Olajide Kareem (28) and Emmanuel Mike (33), was arrested for allegedly robbing motorists on the Ilesa-Osu Expressway.

The Osun State Police Command spokesperson, Yemisi Opalola, provided details on Friday, revealing that the suspects had been targeting drivers and passengers, stealing valuables, and in one incident, shooting a bus driver in the leg. The driver was rushed to Seventh-day Adventist Hospital in Ile-Ife for treatment. Kareem was caught hiding in the bush shortly after one of the robberies, admitting he was part of a five-man gang from Ikorodu, Lagos State. Police later detained the other two suspects.

In an unexpected turn, Emmanuel confessed to swiping a phone from one of the officers escorting him. He said, “I didn’t know the phone belonged to a policeman. I took it because I wanted to contact my family, who didn’t know I’d been arrested.” Emmanuel admitted to removing the SIM card and hiding the phone in his cell until officers discovered it during a search.

“I ask them to forgive me. I didn’t mean any harm,” he pleaded, expressing regret over the incident.

The Osun State Police Command noted that investigations are still ongoing and reiterated its commitment to curbing criminal activities and ensuring public safety.