NDLEA rearrests suspected drug trafficker declared dead by wife

The Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has rearrested a suspected drug trafficker, Ibrahim Yusuf Lawal, whose wife allegedly declared dead through an affidavit submitted to a Federal High Court in Benin City. Lawal, 50, was initially arrested by the agency on February 5, 2022, at Ugbekun Junction in Esan […]

The Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has rearrested a suspected drug trafficker, Ibrahim Yusuf Lawal, whose wife allegedly declared dead through an affidavit submitted to a Federal High Court in Benin City.

Lawal, 50, was initially arrested by the agency on February 5, 2022, at Ugbekun Junction in Esan Central Local Government Area of Edo State while allegedly transporting various quantities of psychotropic substances.

Addressing journalists in Benin, the Edo State Commander of NDLEA, Mitchell Ofoyeju, said the suspect was found in possession of 0.257kg of Lexotan, 1kg of Diazepam, and 5.4kg of Phenobarbital concealed in a white Toyota bus with registration number BWR 401 XC.

Ofoyeju explained that the suspect was subsequently arraigned on a three-count charge bordering on unlawful transportation of controlled substances contrary to the NDLEA Act Cap N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

According to him, Lawal pleaded not guilty and was granted bail but later absconded and failed to appear in court for continuation of hearing.

The commander said in an attempt to obstruct justice, the suspect’s wife, identified as Ibrahim Nana Hawa, allegedly swore to an affidavit in October 2024, claiming that her husband had died after battling tuberculosis and had been buried in Okene, Kogi State, in accordance with Islamic rites.

“The affidavit, which was submitted to the court, stated that she was residing in Iruvucheba, Okene Local Government Area of Kogi State, and that her husband had been buried according to their religious rites,” he said.

Ofoyeju disclosed that the agency, acting on intelligence, launched an investigation and discovered that the suspect was still alive.

He said Lawal was later apprehended in a covert operation and taken back into custody.

According to him, the suspect was on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, brought before Justice B.O. Quadir of the Federal High Court in Benin, where the case was adjourned to June 22, 2026, for further hearing.

The NDLEA commander warned that the agency would not hesitate to sanction all those involved in the alleged fraudulent scheme, including the suspect’s wife, for her alleged role in the matter.