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NDLEA pursuing vendetta against Senator Ashiru with baseless allegations -Group
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Independent Crusade Against Corruption & Injustice (ICACI), has described as “baseless” and “afterthought witch-hunt”, for the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), to have come out against the Deputy Leader of the Senate, Senator Yisa Ashiru with spurious allegations.
The NDLEA, through its Spokesman, Femi Babafemi, had alleged that, the Senator’s personal house situated in GRA, Ilorin, Kwara State, has been used to warehouse illicit drugs.
The NDLEA alleged that the Senator’s residence was raided after intelligence revealed it was being used as a drug joint, claiming two of the Senator’s aides were arrested during the raid, while one managed to escape.
The NDLEA’s allegations came barely 24 hours, after the Senate Deputy Leader, made contributions on the Bill for an Act to establish National Institute for Drug Awareness and Rehabilitation, which would take away, the job of rehabilitation and post-convict orientation of drug addicts from the NDLEA.
In his contributions, Senator Ashiru, apparently speaking based on informed position, described the NDLEA as “the most corrupt and compromised agency”, hence, his support for the establishment of the new institute.
In a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja Sunday evening, and signed by the President of the anti-corruption group, ICACI, Dr. Guy Fredrick Abu, the Chairman of NDLEA, Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd.), was given 7 days ultimatum to publicly apologize to Senator Ashiru and the institution of the National Assembly of Nigeria, to save the country of any international embarrassment.
The group said, it had conducted a preliminary investigation and “can boldy submit that the NDLEA is pursuing personal vendetta with the Distinguished Senator, for standing up to support a Bill which the NDLEA has been doing so much underground to kill”.
“If it is not personal vendetta and afterthought witch-hunt, how on earth, would an agency of the government that wants to be taken seriously, would claim it arrested and prosecuted people close to the Senator, to the extent of saying the Lawmaker sent his Personal Assistant to intervene on behalf of the accused, but would keep it underground for over 3 years, only to come out after it was known that the man supported a Bill which the NDLEA felt as rival?
“Even though the agency didn’t mention the name of the court where the accused were tried, but even if the Senator was mentioned in connection to the crime, what has the NDLEA been waiting for all these years, until he contested and won election and still emerged as Principal Officer of the 10th Senate?
“If the NDLEA wants Nigerians to believe them, it means they have been covering this allegation, until such a time that they felt the Senator started supporting establishment of another agency. How many more high profile personalities the NDLEA may have also covered in this regard? Assuming we want to believe their cock and bull story. It then confirms the submission of the Senator that the agency is corrupt.
“But our preliminary investigation has revealed Senator Ashiru to be an upright man in the society, both at home and in Abuja. Ashiru is 68 years old man who has never tasted red wine or any form of alcohol since he was a child. We had had cause to discuss with 2 classmates of his – one from his primary school days and another, his University mate; in the course of our investigations.
“We can categorically tell Nigerians that the NDLEA only wants to embarrass Nigeria and National Assembly before the international community, because, already, nothing is left in their pride, as far as professionalism is concerned.
“We are giving the Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA just 7 days, to come out openly and apologize to Senator Ashiru, the institution of National Assembly and Nigerians in general. Failure to do this, our members shall mobilize other Nigerians to occupy the NDLEA headquarters, until the needful is done”, the statement added.
President Bola Tinubu has departed Galeao Air force Basa (SBGL) Airport, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Saturday, for Abuja after attending the 19th G20 Leaders Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The President is due to arrive at the Presidential Wing of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at 10.00 p.m. (Nigerian time).
President Tinubu had attended the G20 Leaders summit where he endorsed the global alliance against hunger and poverty, which he said was pivotal.
The President also held bilateral talks with Kristalina Georgieva, the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), who commended his administration’s economic reforms and their positive indicators.
He also presided over the signing of a 2.5 billion dollar Letter of Intent between the Nigerian government and the JBS S.A., a Brazilian company and one of the top three largest meat processing companies in the World.
The president was accompanied in the trip by senior government officials including the minister of foreign affairs yusuf Tuggar, the national security adviser, Nuhu RIBADU and many others.
In commemoration of this year’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the House of Representatives will lead a landmark march on Monday, November 25, 2024, along with other strategic activities as part of its unwavering commitment to eradicating gender-based violence (GBV) in Nigeria.
This was contained in a statement issued by the HoR spokesperson, Rotimi Akin, Jr on Saturday.
According to him the march, which starts at 8:00 AM, will bring together over 1,000 participants – including Representatives and members of the public – on a symbolic walk from the National Assembly to the Headquarters of the Nigeria Police Force.
This demonstration of solidarity will culminate in the submission of a petition to the Inspector General of Police, demanding decisive action to safeguard vulnerable populations and ensure accountability for perpetrators of GBV.
“This march and the associated activities are not just symbolic gestures, they reflect our resolve and call to action against gender-based violence head-on,” said Hon. Abbas Tajudeen,, Speaker of the House of Representatives.
“We stand united in the fight to protect the rights and dignity of all Nigerians, especially the most vulnerable. Together, through collective action and legislative reforms, we can build a society where safety, justice, and equality prevail.”
Beyond the march, the 10th House of Representatives in alignment with its Legislative Agenda (2023 – 2027) has outlined *key activities to sustain awareness and action throughout the 16 Days of Activism:*
1. *Sash Demonstration Ceremony* – Tuesday, November 26, 2024
Members of the House will don orange sashes, symbolising solidarity with the fight against GBV, during plenary sessions throughout the campaign period.
2. *Convergence of State Assembly Speakers* – Monday, December 9, 2024
A strategic meeting at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, will bring together Speakers of State Houses of Assembly to discuss legislative strategies for combating GBV nationwide.
3. *National Citizens’ Summit and GBV Conference 2024 -* Tuesday, December 10, 2024
This summit will conclude the 16 Days of Activism with discussions on constitutional reforms and securing endorsements for gender equality initiatives championed by the House.
The House of Representatives invites all Nigerians to *participate in this historic march on Monday, November 25, 2024.* Participants will receive orange T-shirts—the official colour of the United Nations campaign to end violence against women—symbolising hope for a future free of violence.
*Details of the March:*
• *Date:* Monday, November 25, 2024
• *Time:* 8:00 AM
• *Starting Point:* Speaker’s Car Park, National Assembly
• *End Point:* Nigeria Police Force (NPF) Headquarters
Gender-based violence continues to devastate families and communities across Nigeria. The 10th House of Representatives however, remains steadfast in driving systemic reforms, fostering collaboration, and championing accountability to address this pervasive issue.
Together, let us take a decisive stand for justice, equality, and the protection of human rights, paving the way for a safer, more equitable Nigeria.
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