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NDLEA arrests ex-convict, Christian Ogbuji for importing N4.6bn cocaine

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Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have again arrested a 48-year-old businessman, Christian Ogbuji.

 

Ogbuji was first arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on May 10, 2023, upon arrival from Uganda via Addis Ababa, onboard Ethiopian Airlines flight ET 951 for ingesting 93 pellets of cocaine weighing 1.986kg.

 

He was subsequently arraigned before Federal High Court 12 Abuja, presided over by Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon in charge no: FHC/ABJ/CR/192/2023, and convicted on July 13, 2023.

 

 

Ogbuji was sentenced to two years imprisonment with an option of paying a fine of N3,000,000.00.

 

 

A statement by the spokesperson for the agency, Femi Babafemi said Ogbuji paid the fine.

 

Babafemi added that Ogbuji also forfeited the seized 1.986 kilograms of cocaine, his international passport, 14 US dollars and 9000 Uganda shillings were found on him at the time of his arrest.

 

However, Babafemi stated that 16 months later, Ogbuji was arrested again on September 18, 2024, with N4.6bn worth of cocaine.

 

 

Babafemi said, “Barely 16 months after he was arrested and convicted for ingesting 93 pellets of cocaine, a 48-year-old businessman Christian Ifeanyi Ogbuji has been intercepted by operatives of the NDLEA, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA Ikeja Lagos for importing 817 wraps of the same Class A drug weighing 19.40 kilograms with an estimated street value of N4,656,000,000.00.

 

“Ogbuji was again arrested at the Lagos airport on Wednesday, 18th September 2024, during an inward clearance of Ethiopian Airlines flight passengers from Addis Ababa to Lagos. The suspect had approached the joint examination table with a black travelling bag which was searched by an NDLEA operative who cleared the luggage.

 

In a dubious move, Ogbuji sneaked back to the carousel area to put inside the cleared bag a black backpack he left on the conveyor’s belt. As he made his way out of the arrival hall, vigilant NDLEA officers intercepted him and subjected him to a secondary search.

 

“It was then large wraps of excreted cocaine were found concealed inside the backpack hidden in the black travelling bag that was earlier found with the suspect. A total of 817 pellets of cocaine excreted by many traffickers in Addis Ababa weighing 19.40kg belonging to different members of a drug cartel were recovered.”

 

 

Babafemi said during an interview with the suspect, that he initially left the backpack containing the drug at the carousel area as a strategy to beat NDLEA operatives, adding that he never knew there could be a secondary search since he had presented his bag for search previously and nothing incriminating was found.

 

Babafemi said the suspect claimed he had to procure a new international passport to continue his criminal trade.

 

“Investigation reveals Ogbuji is an unrepentant kingpin within the network of drug cartels operating between Brazil, Ethiopia, Nigeria and others in the West African sub-region like

Benin, Togo, Ghana, Liberia, and Cote d’Ivoire,” he added.

 

 

 

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Breaking News: Court bars VIO from stopping, impounding, confiscating vehicles..

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4 hours ago

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October 3, 2024

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A Federal High Court in Abuja has issued an order barring the Directorate of Road Traffic Services (otherwise known as VIO) from further stopping vehicles on the road, impounding or confiscating vehicles, and imposing fines on motorists.

 

Justice Evelyn Maha issued the order in a judgment on a fundamental rights enforcement suit: FHC/ABJ/CS/1695/2023 filed by a human rights activist and public interest attorney, Abubakar Marshal, reports The Nation.

 

 

Also affected by the order are the Director of Road Transport; the Area Commander, Jabi, and the Team Leader, Jabi, and the Minister of the FCT, also listed as respondents.

 

 

In the judgment delivered on Wednesday, October 2, Justice Maha upheld Marshal’s argument that no law empowers respondents to stop, impound, confiscate, seize, or impose fines on motorists.

 

The judge declared that the first to the 4th respondents, who are under the control of the 5th respondent (Minister of the FCT) are not empowered by any law or statute to stop, impound, or confiscate the vehicles of motorists and or impose fines on motorists.

 

She proceeded to issue an order restraining the 1st to 4th respondents either through their agents, servants, and or assigns from impounding, confiscating the vehicle of motorists, and or imposing a fine on any motorist as doing so is wrongful, oppressive, and unlawful by themselves.

 

 

Justice Maha further made an order of perpetual injunction restraining the respondents whether by themselves, agents, privies, allies or anybody acting on behalf of the 1st respondent from further violating the rights of Nigerians to freedom of movement, presumption of innocence and right to own property without lawful justification.

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Zenith Bank Assures Customers on Seamless Transactions, Apologizes for Disruptions During Infrastructure Upgrade

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9 hours ago

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October 3, 2024

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Nigeria’s leading financial institution, Zenith Bank, has reassured its customers of improved services following recent infrastructure upgrades.

 

In a message posted on Thursday, the bank apologised for the service disruptions experienced across its e-channels during the upgrade period.

 

The bank clarified that the glitches were a result of routine information and technology maintenance, which is essential for optimizing service delivery.

 

Zenith Bank emphasized its commitment to ensuring 100% uptime, stating that it takes this responsibility “very personally” and continuously allocates resources to maintain uninterrupted service availability.

 

In the statement, the bank expressed its sincere apologies for any inconvenience caused to customers during the upgrade process, highlighting that the information technology enhancements are designed to improve the quality of service for its esteemed clientele.

 

The message reads in part:

 

Dear Valued Customer,

 

We sincerely apologise for the service disruptions you experienced recently on our banking channels. This was due to an information Technology upgrade aimed at improving the quality of service we provide.

 

We have made significant progress with the upgrade and you can now perform transactions conveniently with the following Zenith bank Channels:

 

Your Zenith Bank Debit Card

The Zenith Bank Mobile App

The Zenith bank Internet Banking Platform

Zenith Agents nationwide (Agent Banking)

 

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Just In: Tinubu Set To Embark on  Two-weeks Annual Leave.

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1 day ago

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October 2, 2024

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced a two-week annual leave

 

According to Bayo Onanuga Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy) President Bola Tinubu will depart Abuja today for the United Kingdom to begin a two-week vacation, part of his yearly leave.

 

He will use the two weeks as a working vacation and a retreat to reflect on his administration’s economic reforms.

 

He will return to the country after the leave expires.

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