ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

. Convict’s re-arrest after 10 years on the run demonstrates NDLEA’s doggedness in tracking down fugitives and ensuring no drug trafficker escapes the long arm of the law, says Marwa

A fugitive drug kingpin, Ntoruka Emmanuel Chinedu, and an ex-international football player, Hunkarin Segun George have been convicted and sentenced to a combined total of 24 years imprisonment by Justice Musa Kakaki of the Federal High Court, Lagos, for unlawful importation of 7.050 kilograms of cocaine into Nigeria.

Chinedu was first arraigned in September 2015 on a one-count charge marked FHC/L/227c/2015 for unlawfully importing 6.250 kilograms of cocaine. He pleaded not guilty and was admitted to bail, but jumped bail midway into trial and remained at large for nearly 10 years. He was eventually re-arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Tuesday 24th June 2025, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, while attempting to smuggle 800 grams of cocaine on an inbound Ethiopian Airlines flight from Addis Ababa. He was a frequent flyer known for conveying clothes from Turkey to Nigeria and foodstuffs from Nigeria to Turkey.

Investigation showed that the convict was coming from Turkey on Ethiopian Airlines flight but transited through Addis Ababa, Ethiopia where he collected the luggage from another person before heading to Nigeria. Further checks revealed that an accomplice who turned out to be a former professional footballer, Segun George Hunkarin, was waiting for Chinedu at the airport carpark to collect the consignment from him. Hunkarin who had stayed years in Brazil playing for football clubs was promptly tracked and arrested at the carpark.

In his statement, Hunkarin claimed that while playing professional football in the South American country, he had only trafficked drugs twice from Brazil to Ethiopia.

Both Chinedu and Hunkarin were subsequently arraigned on a three-count charge marked FHC/L/669C/2025 for unlawful importation of 800grams of cocaine. Delivering judgment on Friday 24th July 2026, Justice Kakaki sentenced Chinedu to 20 years imprisonment without an option of fine for the unlawful importation of 6.250 kilograms of cocaine, and a further two years, also without an option of fine, for conspiring with Hunkarin to unlawfully import 800 grams of cocaine, bringing his total sentence to 22 years. Hunkarin was sentenced to two years imprisonment on the conspiracy charge, bringing the combined jail terms to 24 years imprisonment.

Reviewing the facts of the case, prosecuting counsel, Barrister Adekunle Adebajo, reminded the court that Chinedu had earlier been arraigned before Justice Salihu Saudi (now retired) in 2015 on the same importation charge but vanished after being granted bail. Citing a plethora of legal authorities, the NDLEA prosecutor urged the court to sentence the convicts in line with the relevant provisions of the NDLEA Act.

Defence counsel, Chief Benson Ndakara for Chinedu and Chief Emefo Etudo for Hunkarin, had pleaded with the court for leniency and urged that fine options be considered in lieu of custodial sentences. The court, however, after a careful review of the submissions, cited authorities and tendered exhibits, sentenced both convicts to prison terms without any option of fine.

Reacting to the conviction, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended the judiciary for the judgment, describing it as a reaffirmation of the courts’ commitment to ridding the country of drug trafficking and those who perpetrate it, no matter how long they evade justice.

Marwa also commended the officers, men and women of the Agency involved in the arrest, investigation and prosecution of the case, noting that the eventual re-arrest of Chinedu after nearly ten years on the run demonstrated the doggedness, patience and thoroughness of NDLEA operatives in tracking down fugitives and ensuring that no drug trafficker escapes the long arm of the law.
He restated the Agency’s resolve to continue working closely with the judiciary and other stakeholders to ensure that persons involved in drug trafficking, regardless of their status or how long they attempt to evade justice, are brought to book.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee investigating the alleged operation of the Presidential Economic Advisory Council (PEAC) and the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC) has directed the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to produce the alleged mastermind, Mr. Adeyemi Martin, before lawmakers on Wednesday by 12 noon.

The directive followed fresh evidence presented by the Nigeria Police Force and the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, which shed more light on how forged government documents were allegedly used to give legitimacy to the controversial council.

The committee, chaired by Rep. Yusuf Gagdi, said Adeyemi’s appearance had become imperative because of the far-reaching implications of the allegations on government institutions and public officials.

“This committee clearly needs the suspected DG to appear before this committee.

“People’s names are involved. People’s integrity are involved. Institutional names are involved. Institutional integrity are involved.

Hp”It is not an option now. We will need him here to confirm some documents to us in such a way that will not undermine our investigation to enable us to submit our report on time.”
The committee subsequently directed its clerk to formally notify the Inspector-General of Police.

“The committee hereby resolves that the Inspector-General of Police of the Federal Republic of Nigeria do kindly present Mr. Adeyemi Martin on Wednesday by 12 noon. That is the ruling of the committee,” Gagdi declared.

Earlier, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, Basir Abdullahi, who represented the Inspector-General, informed lawmakers that the police had already filed an eight-count charge against the suspect before the Federal High Court.

He disclosed that Adeyemi had already been arrested and arraigned but cautioned against discussing details that could affect ongoing investigations.

“The Nigerian Police Force investigated part of this case late last year and filed eight-count charges before a Federal High Court. The case is ongoing.

“We don’t want to say things that are under investigation. It is definitely going to prejudice the ongoing investigation and make people have opinions that may prejudge the outcome of an investigation or judicial decision,” he said.

Responding to questions from the committee, the police confirmed receiving a petition from the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President on October 17, 2025, alleging that Adeyemi fraudulently presented himself as Director-General of both the Presidential Economic Advisory Council and the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council.

According to the police, investigations revealed allegations that the suspect used the purported office to obtain accommodation at the Federal Secretariat, sought approval to recruit about 300 staff, attempted to secure about N1.3 billion in the 2026 Appropriation Act for the non-existent agency and planned to organise a World Investment Summit under the platform of the council.

One of the key moments during the hearing came when lawmakers compared signatures on documents purportedly issued by the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President with authentic documents obtained by investigators.

When asked whether the signatures matched, the police witness replied: “They are not the same.”

The committee said the discrepancy further strengthened suspicions that official government documents had been forged to facilitate the activities of the alleged fake agency.

“So, it is not only a letter that was suspected to be forged.

“We are dealing with documents that include what is said to be a forged Act of the National Assembly in an attempt to establish a fake agency,” Gagdi said0.

He disclosed that investigators had so far identified about 29 suspected forged documents, including letters and approvals allegedly originating from the State House, the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Ministry of Finance and other government institutions.

According to him, many of the affected agencies had already appeared before the committee and denied issuing the documents attributed to them.

“We are avoiding a situation whereby they will be pushed to make statements that will undermine their ongoing investigation,” he added, assuring that the House would conclude its investigation independently and recommend further action where necessary.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

…Says Tinubu’s Govt Will Meet January Deadline On FCT Projects Completion

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, on Monday declared that there would be no slowdown in the execution of critical infrastructure projects in Abuja, insisting that the administration remains under obligation to fulfil promises made to residents before President Bola Tinubu’s first term ends.

Speaking after inspecting the ongoing Apo-Karshi and Bwari-Kubwa road projects, Wike said the successful commissioning and flag-off of projects in the FCT was not the end of the administration’s infrastructure drive, stressing that several strategic projects must be completed before January.

He said public confidence in the Tinubu administration must not be taken for granted, noting that the government would continue to monitor contractors to ensure projects are delivered on schedule.

“Has the tenure of Mr. President ended? Certainly not. His first tenure has not ended. His first tenure will end precisely on May 29, 2027. If that is the case, it means the work has also not ended,” Wike said.

While acknowledging that many expected the administration to take a break after weeks of project commissioning, the minister maintained that governance demands continuity.

“We have made promises to the people during the commissioning and flag-off that certain key projects must be commissioned before the end of the year. We cannot afford to disappoint them.”

Expressing satisfaction with progress on the long-delayed Apo-Karshi Road, Wike noted that the project, awarded in 2010, had suffered years of neglect before the current administration revived it.

He commended President Tinubu for providing the support that enabled the project to move forward and praised SCC Nigeria Limited for maintaining a high standard of work.

“My happiness today is that the Apo-Karshi Road, which has been a major concern, is progressing very well. Streetlights are already being installed. I commend the contractor and the host communities for their cooperation.”

On the Bwari-Kubwa Road, the minister directed the contractor to maintain the agreed delivery schedule despite the difficult terrain, warning against unnecessary delays.

“I told the contractor during the Dei-Dei commissioning that this road would be commissioned before the end of the year. I don’t want anybody shifting the goalposts. They have demonstrated commitment, and I believe they will hand over the project as scheduled.”

He assured the contractor that the FCT Administration would continue to release funds promptly to ensure work is not disrupted before the end of the dry season.

Wike disclosed that inspections of other projects recently flagged off would continue this week as part of efforts to sustain the administration’s “promise made, promise fulfilled” agenda.

“When people have confidence in you, don’t allow that confidence to erode. They have seen that we keep our promises, and we must sustain that confidence. We have about eight to ten major projects that must be completed before January, and we are determined to deliver.”

The minister also responded to concerns over illegal motor-racing on newly completed roads in the Federal Capital Territory, saying the administration would not tolerate activities that endanger residents.

According to him, while improved road infrastructure may have encouraged some motorists to engage in reckless driving, public safety would remain paramount.

“If they want to engage in car racing, there are designated places for that, not within residential areas. Their rights have limitations, and life is more important.”

He directed the FCT traffic authorities to investigate the development and take appropriate measures to prevent street racing in residential communities while ensuring the safety of road users.