Justice Dipeolu of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, has adjourned till October 2 and 4, 2024 for continuation of the trial of an alleged drug baron, Jimoh Sulaimon, popularly called Temo.
The judge also remanded Temo in custody of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS) after his arraignment by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, on Wednesday September 25.
Jimoh who is also known as Olowoidiogede, Godfather and 001, was arraigned before the court on an amended six count-charge of being member of a Drug Trafficking Organisation (DTO); importing, processing, trafficking and dealing in 704 kilograms of cannabis sativa (Ghana Loud); and concealment of illicit funds.
At the alleged drug kingpin’s arraignment on Tuesday, the prosecutor, Lambert Nor, Deputy Command and Head of Legal Department, Lagos Command of NDLEA, told the court that Temo and four others namely: Ojo Emmanuel; Wasiu Olayinka Saliu; Taofeek Noah and one Kazeem, all said to be at large, have been running a drug trafficking organisation between 2020 and 2024.
He told the court that Temo and others now at large, have been engaged in the alleged illegal acts between Nigeria and Ghana.
The NDLEA head of legal department also told the court that the defendant and others at large without lawful authority engaged in the concealment and disguise of the true source of proceeds of illicit dealing in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.
He told the court the defendant’s alleged criminal acts contravened 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 Olowoidiogede 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 defendant’s lawyer, Chief Benson Ndakara, informed the court that the defendant’s bail application has been filed but will be argued it at a later date.
He said that in line with section 296 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, he would be asking for day-to-day trial of the matter.
Consequently, the prosecutor was ordered to call in his witnesses.
In prosecuting the defendant, the prosecutor called four witnesses, who are exhibits keepers and forensic experts, and gave evidence on the role they played in the drug case.
The Witnesses also tendered several exhibits which include: 19 big bags all weighing 704 kilograms of cannabis sativa, a Camry car, two phones among others. All the exhibits were admitted in evidence without objection from the defendant’s counsel.
The first prosecution witness, Mr. Moses Dogo Eldah, an Exhibit keeper with the NDLEA’s Central Exhibits Unit, narrated how on 13 October, 2020, another exhibits keeper attached to the agency’s Directorate of General Investigation by name J. E Jakyang transferred some exhibits with substances suspected to be weed (cannabis Sativa) weighing 704 kilograms to him.
Moses added that a fiat truck, Siena car, a Toyota Camry car and two phones were also transferred to him.
The witness further told the court that 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 were admitted.
Cross examining the witness, counsel to the defendant, Chief Ndakara asked if the witness knew how the 19 bags containing the bulk of the marijuana were recovered? The witness said “No.”
The witness also admitted that he did not know how the truck and cars were recovered.
The three other three witnesses narrated the role they played in the case.
Upon conclusion of testimonies of the witnesses, Justice Dipeolu adjourned till October 2 and 4 for continuation of trial.
The Amended charge against the defendant reads:
“That you Jimoh Sulaimon Olowoidiogede, 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 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.”
