A Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, yesterday, remanded an alleged Lagos-based drug baron, Jimoh Sulaimon, popularly called Temo, in the custody of Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS), after he was arraignment by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Jimoh, also known as Olowoidigede, Godfather and 001, was arraigned before Justice Deinde Dipeolu on an amended six-count charge for being a member of a Drug Trafficking Organisation (DTO): import, trafficking and dealing in 704 kilogrammes of cannabis sativa (Ghana Loud); concealment of illicit funds.
The prosecutor, Lambert Nor, Deputy Command and Head of Legal Department, Lagos Command of NDLEA, told the court the Temo and four others namely, Ojo Emmanuel; Wasiu Olayinka saliu; Taofeek Noah and one Kazeem, all said to be at large, belong to the Drug Trafficking Organisation, which they run between Nigeria and Ghana.
He also told the court that the accused disguised the true source of proceeds of illicit dealing in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
He told the court that the defendant’s alleged criminal acts contravene sections 20(1)(g); 14(b); 18(a); 20(i); 11(b) and 11(c) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Temo also known as Olowoidigede and Godfather denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Based on his plea, the prosecutor, Mr. Lambert informed the court that he has four witnesses in court to testify against the drug kingpin.
He also asked the court to remand the defendant till the determination of the charges against him.
However, the drug kingpin lawyer, Chief Benson Ndakara, a former staff member of NDLEA, accused the anti-narcotic agency of media trial even before charging his client.
He informed the court that the defendant’s bail application had been filed but would be moved at a later date.
The defence counsel in his further submission, while admitting being served with proof of evidence, said in line with Section 296 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, he would be asking for daily trial.
Consequently, the prosecutor was ordered to call in his witnesses.
At the resumption of trial yesterday, Nor called four prosecution witnesses, who are mainly exhibits keepers and forensic experts with each of them giving evidence on the role they played in the case and also tendered several exhibits which were admitted in evidence without objection from the defence counsel.
The exhibits tendered and admitted at the sitting included 19 jute bags all weighing 704 kilograms of cannabis sativa, a Camry car, two phones,a fiat truck among others.
The first prosecution witness, Mr Moses Dogo Eldah, an exhibit keeper with the NDLEA Central Exhibits Unit, narrated how on October 13, 2020 another exhibit keeper attached to the agency’s Directorate of General Investigation Unit, J.E Jakyang, transferred some exhibits with substances suspected to be weed (cannabis Sativa) weighing 704 kilograms to him.
He also stated that a fiat truck, Siena car, a Toyota Camry car and two phones were also transferred to him.
According to the witness, the bulk of the exhibits were also transferred to him which he kept in the agency strong room.
The prosecutor then tendered the exhibits and all were admitted.
Cross examining the witness, counsel to the defendant, Chief Benson Ndakara asked if the witness know how the 19 bags containing the bulk of the marijuana were recovered, and the witness said no.
The witness also admitted that he did not know how the truck and cars were recovered and that this would be the second time he would see the defendant.
Other three witnesses also narrated the role they played in the case.
Consequently, Justice Dipeolu adjourned till October 2 and 4 for continuation of trial.
The judge also ordered that the drug kingpin be remanded in the NCoS’ custody till next adjourned date.
The Amended charge against the defendant reads: “That you Jimoh Sulaimon Olowoogede, a.k.a “Godfather” “001°, “Temo” (m) adult (being the Kingpin) and Ojo Emmanuel (M), Wasiu Olayinka saliu (M), Taofeek , Noah (M) and Kazeem (M) (all at large) being members of a Drug Trafficking Organisation (DTO) between 2020 and 2024 without lawful authority and within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court engaged in financing Drug Trafficking and thereby committed an offence as provided for in section 20 (1) (g) of the NDLEA Act Cap N 30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and punishable under section 20(2) (b) of the same Act.
“That you Jimoh Suleimon Olowoidiogede a.k.a “Godfather” “001”, “Temo” (M) adult (being the Kingpin) between 2020 and 2024 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court conspired with Ojo Emmanuel (M), Wasiu Olayinka Saliu (M), Taofeek Noah (M) And Kazeem (M) (all at large) to import, process, traffick and otherwise deal in Cannabis Sativa (Ghana Loud) a drug similar to Cocaine, Heroin & LSD using Managers, Couriers and Associates and thereby committed an offence as provided for and punishable under section 14 (b) of the NDLEA Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
“That you Jimoh Suleimon Olowoidiogede a.k.a “Godfather” “001”, “Temo” (M) adult (being the Kingpin) conspired with Ojo Emmanuel (M) Adult, Wasiu Olayinka Saliu (M) adult, Taofeek Noah (M) adult And Kazeem (M) ADULT (all at large) between 2020 and 2024 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court to convert proceeds of illicit’ trafficking im Narcotic drugs and Psychotropic Substances into ostensible legitimate enterprises end thereby committed an offence as provided under section 18 (a) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 and punishable under section 18(3) and (7) of the same Act.
“That you Jimoh Suleimon Olowoidiogede a.ka. “Godfather” “001°, “Temo” (M) adult (being the Kingpin) and Ojo Emmanuel (M), Wasiu Olayinka Saliu (M), Taofeek Noah (M) and Kazeem (M) (all at large) between 2020 and 2024 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court without lawful authority engaged in the concealment and disguise of the true source of proceeds of illicit dealing in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances to wit: Cannabis Sativa (Ghana Loud) and you thereby committed an offence as provided for and punishable under section 20(ii) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
“That you Jimoh Suleimon Olowoidiogede a.k.a “GODFATHER” “001”, “Temo” (M) adult (being the Kingpin) and Wasiu Olayinka Saliu (M), now at large on or about the Ilm day of November, 2020 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court and without lawful authority trafficked in 704 Kilogrammes of Cannabis Sativa (“Ghana Loud”) a drug similar to Cocaine, Heroin and LSD from Ghana to Nigeria and you thereby committed an offence as provided for and punishable under section 11(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
“That you Jimoh Suleimon Olowoidiogede a.k.a. “Godfather”, “001”, “Temo” (M) adult (being the Kingpin) and Wasiu Olayinka Saliu (M), now at large on or about the in day of November, 2020 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court and without lawful authority dealt in 704 Kilogrammes of Cannabis Sativa (“Ghana Loud”) a drug similar to Cocaine, Heroin and LSD from Ghana to Nigeria and you thereby committed an offence as provided for and punishable under section 11(c) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.”