The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested
a wanted drug baron, Alhaji Suleiman Ganiu Aremu (a.k.a Barryshine) two years
after coming under its radar over his alleged role in four foiled attempts to
export cocaine to Saudi Arabia and Qatar through the Murtala Muhammed
International Airport (MMIA) Ikeja Lagos between 2022 and 2024.
Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters Abuja, Femi
Babafemi, who made this known in a statement on Friday, said Suleman is the
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Barryshine Suleiman Nigeria
Ltd.
According to the statement, his name first featured on November 13, 2022 when a female passenger on Qatar airlines flight to Saudi Arabia, Alhaja Ajisegiri Kehinde Sidika was arrested at the MMIA in possession of 400 grams of cocaine, which was concealed inside female footwears.
Babafemi said investigations later revealed that one Abdullahi
Olarenwaju Ramon, who is a brother to Suleiman, hired the arrested drug
courier.
“Further facts emerged that the flight tickets and other
travel expenses of the suspect were sourced by Alhaji Suleiman Ganiu Aremu.
“A few days after the arrest of Ajisegiri Kehinde Sidika,
another drug mule, Lawal Lateef Oyenuga was also arrested on November 24, 2022,
with the same quantity of cocaine, 400 grams, concealed in male footwears while
going to the same destination, Saudi Arabia.
“The suspect, Lawal Lateef Oyenuga confessed that one Wasiu
Sanni Gbolahan (a.k.a Teacher) who was later arrested and convicted by the
court, hired him for Suleiman. Lawal further alleged that Wasiu Gbolahan linked
him up with the baron through one Igbono, who was later unveiled through
investigation as Oluwafemi Akande Abidoye (a.k.a Igbono, Murphy, Femi Iwaya,
Ade Iwaya, Baba Eje and Ejeoto)
“While investigation of the two cases subsisted and the
manhunt for the baron was ongoing, two drug mules were arrested at the MMIA on
June 21, 2024 on their way to Doha, Qatar. One of the suspects who was later
identified as Aikhomoun Daniel (a.k.a Oladapo Olanrewaju) expelled in
observation custody a total of 90 pellets of cocaine, weighing 1.022kg, which
he ingested, while the second suspect, Ayigoro Waheed Omobolaji excreted 60
wraps of cocaine with a total weight of 662 grams.
“Further investigation later revealed that the two arrested
couriers, Aikhomoun Daniel and Ayigoro Waheed Omobolaji were recruited by the
same Igbono who works for the baron and featured in 2022 during the arrest of
Ajesegiri Kehinde Sidika and Lawal Lateef Oyenuga.
“Financial investigation conducted by the Agency also linked
the baron Suleiman to the arrested suspects and two of his associates who
recruit traffickers for him: Oluwafemi Akande Abidoye and Olanrewaju Abdullahi
Ramon, both currently at large.
“As a result, the Agency blocked the bank accounts linked to
members of the cartel after which Suleiman was eventually taken into custody on
August 26, 2024 for further investigation.
“In his statements, Suleiman claimed he is into property
development and hotel management while he lives in Lagos and Paris, France. He
also stated that he runs another business that deals in cloths with his wife at
Balogun market, Lagos Island, adding that his regular visits to Saudi Arabia
was to perform lesser hajj.
“He said he holds the traditional title of Akeweje of Yaba
(Youth Leader of Yaba Land). Already, some properties traced to Suleiman
include: two houses at 63 and 72 Queens Street, Ebute-Meta and his Barryshine
hotel at 95 Freeman street, Yaba, Lagos,” the statement reads.
Babafemi informed Justice Dipeolu Deinde Isaac of the Federal
High Court, Lagos has granted an application by the NDLEA for the extension of
the detention of the drug kingpin Suleiman for 30 days and to declare his two
associates: Oluwafemi Akande Abidoye and Olanrewaju Abdullahi Ramon, both
currently at large, wanted.
The NDLEA Spokesman said ruling on the motion ex-parte in suit
number: FHC/L/MISC/555/24, Justice Dipeolu said “an order is hereby made
declaring one Oluwafemi Akande Abidoye a.ka ‘Igbono’, ‘Murphy’, ‘Femi Iwaya’,
‘Ade Iwaya’, ‘Baba Eje’, ‘Ejeoto’ wanted who is presently at large for his
involvement in multiple drug trafficking activities with Suleiman Aremu Ganiu
(a.k.a Barryshine).”
According to the statement, the judge also ruled that “an
order is hereby made declaring one Olarenwaju Ramon Abdulahi wanted who is
presently at large for his involvement in the drug trafficking activities with
Suleiman Aremu Ganiu (a.k.a Baryshine) with respect to the arrest of Ajisegiri
Kehinde Sidika who was arrested at MMIA Ikeja-Lagos during outward clearance of
Qatar Airways flight to Saudi Arabia with 400 grams of cocaine concealed in
foot wears.”
Reacting to the development, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer
of NDLEA, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) commended the officers and men of
the MMIA Strategic Command for the painstaking two years investigation that
culminated in the conviction of three traffickers and the eventual arrest of
the kingpin behind the cartel.
He said this demonstrates that the long arm of the law will
always get whoever is involved in the criminal trade no matter how long it
takes.
0 Comments