The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Edo State Command, has re-arrested and arraigned before the Federal High Court in Benin a suspected drug trafficker, Ibrahim Yusuf Lawal, who allegedly jumped bail and was falsely declared dead by his wife in a bid to evade prosecution.
The Edo State Commander of the NDLEA, Mitchell Ofoyeju, disclosed this on Tuesday.
He said Lawal, 50, was initially arrested on February 5, 2022, at Ugbekun Junction in Esan Central Local Government Area of Edo State while transporting various psychotropic substances.
According to Ofoyeju, the suspect was found in possession of 0.257kg of Lexotan, 1kg of Diazepam and 5.4kg of Phenobarbital concealed in a white Toyota bus with registration number BWR 401 XC Abuja.
He said the suspect was subsequently charged with a three-count offence bordering on the unlawful transportation of controlled substances, contrary to the provisions of the NDLEA Act, Cap N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
“One of the counts stated that Ibrahim Yusuf Lawal, on or about February 5, 2022, without lawful authority, transported 0.257kg of Lexotan, a psychotropic substance similar to cocaine, heroin and LSD,” Ofoyeju said.
He explained that although Lawal pleaded not guilty and was granted bail by the court, he later absconded and failed to appear for trial.
According to the NDLEA boss, in an apparent attempt to frustrate the prosecution, the suspect’s wife, identified as Ibrahim Nana Hawa, submitted an affidavit to the court claiming that her husband had died on October 3, 2024, after battling tuberculosis.
The affidavit reportedly stated that she resided with her husband at Iruvucheba, Okene, Kogi State, and that he had been buried according to Islamic rites.
Ofoyeju, however, said the agency launched an investigation after receiving the information and discovered that the suspect was still alive.
“Our operatives, acting on intelligence, uncovered the truth that Ibrahim Yusuf Lawal was very much alive. He was recently apprehended in a covert operation and taken into custody,” he said.
“He had earlier jumped bail, and his wife fraudulently submitted an affidavit claiming he had died while they were living together in Iruvucheba, Okene, Kogi State.”
The NDLEA commander disclosed that Lawal was on Tuesday brought before Justice B.O. Quadir of the Federal High Court, Benin, and that the case was adjourned till June 22, 2026, for further hearing.
Describing the incident as a deliberate attempt to pervert the course of justice, Ofoyeju said the command would not hesitate to prosecute all persons found culpable, including the suspect’s wife, for allegedly aiding the fraudulent scheme.
“The use of a false death affidavit to evade prosecution is a serious offence, and the command will ensure that all parties involved are brought to justice,” he stated.
He added that the case should serve as a warning to drug traffickers and their collaborators that no form of deception would shield them from the law.
Ofoyeju also commended NDLEA officers in Edo and Kogi states for their diligence and persistence in tracking down the suspect.
He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to combating illicit drug trafficking and urged members of the public to continue providing credible information to support its operations.
