NDLEA IS CONTESTING THE PDP'S DRUG CASE IN COURT, CLAIMING TINUBU WAS NEVER CHARGED IN THE UNITED STATES

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has requested that a federal high court in Abuja reject a lawsuit filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against President-elect Bola Tinubu be dismissed.

The PDP and Dino Melaye, a party chieftain, had filed a mandamus petition to compel the NDLEA to arrest and prosecute Tinubu over an alleged forfeiture of assets related to drugs trafficking in the United States.

In a preliminary objection submitted on Wednesday, Joseph Sunday, the NDLEA's head of prosecution, stated that the PDP and Melaye's case is "incompetent" and that the court lacks jurisdiction to hear it.

The anti-narcotics agency said the opposition party's complaint should be dismissed because it is "political in nature," and it is not in the best interests of Nigerians.

The NDLEA stated that the complaint was filed to remove Tinubu as a legitimate candidate in the February 25 presidential election.

The agency contended that a mandamus order is an equitable remedy that should only be used in good faith and should not result in an indirect or underlying result.

"The doctrine of judicial self-restraint forbids this honorable court from delving into matters with political overtones or matters aimed at achieving direct or indirect political goals," the suit states.