Ashiru vs. NDLEA: Senator Fires Back Over Drug Claims

Senator Ashiru Denies NDLEA's Allegations of Hard Drugs at His Residence

“The NDLEA claims to have discovered drugs in Senator Ashiru's...”

Ashiru vs NDLEA: Senator's Assistant Challenges Agency to Provide Proof of Influence and Corruption

Senator Oyelola Ashiru, deputy majority leader of the senate, sparked controversy when he labeled the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) as the “most corrupt and compromised government agency” in Nigeria. This statement was made during a debate on establishing the National Institute for Drug Awareness and Rehabilitation. Ashiru emphasized the need for a new organization to combat drug addiction and trafficking, citing NDLEA's failure in its mandate.

NDLEA's Director of Media, Fermi Babafemi, responded by alleging that Ashiru's accusations stemmed from a personal grudge. Babafemi claimed that illicit drugs were found in Ashiru's home, prompting the senator's harsh criticism. However, Ashiru has since dared the agency to prosecute anyone found with illicit drugs in his home.

During the debate, Senator Kawu Sumaila from Kano south made a startling allegation that some politicians' homes were being used to stockpile hard drugs. This revelation highlights the severity of Nigeria's drug trafficking issues and underscores the need for effective solutions.

The proposed National Institute for Drug Awareness and Rehabilitation aims to coordinate and promote drug awareness, prevent substance abuse, and facilitate rehabilitation for drug users. The bill, sponsored by Senator Sani Hanga Rufai from Kano central, seeks to address the country's growing drug problem.

“The personal house of the senator in GRA Ilorin, the capital of Kwara State, had been raided in recent past, where drugs and illicit substances were recovered while two of his aides: Ibrahim Mohammed and Muhammed Yahaya, were arrested,” Babafemi said in Abuja.

“Based on creampie mtemgence ana surveillance which confirmed that the senator's house was being used as a drug joint for drug dealers and users. The house was raided by our operatives at 1.30pm on February 4, 2024 during which the two aides were arrested, while a third suspect escaped arrest.

“So, going by this back story, it is deductible that these encounters that the agency has had with the senator, must have been responsible for his outburst, and unfortunately, false allegation, the type that nobody within and outside of government has ever levelled against NDLEA before.

“Suffice it to say that in the past three years, NDLEA has emerged as a regional leader among national drug law enforcement agencies. So, come to think about it, an agency so badmouthed by Senator Ashiru couldn't have been attracting such international goodwill and commendation for being the “most corrupt government agency” in Nigeria.

“Against the background of our encounter with people linked to him, we are wont to believe that Senator Ashiru's invectives against NDLEA were borne out of vendetta and not any opinion made in the public interest.”

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has been hard at work, making over 52,000 arrests and securing more than 9,000 convictions in the past three years, according to Fermi Babafemi, the agency's Director of Media.

In response to NDLEA's recent allegations, Senator Oyelola Ashiru's special assistant, Olaitan Adeyanju, issued a statement on Monday evening, challenging the agency to take bold action. “Go ahead and charge anyone accused of engaging in illicit drugs to court,” Adeyanju said, emphasizing the senator's innocence and confidence in the judicial process. This statement comes after NDLEA alleged that illicit drugs were found in Senator Ashiru's home, prompting Ashiru to label the agency as “corrupt and compromised.”

“The NDLEA claims to have discovered drugs in Senator Ashiru's Ilorin house but there's no information on which court of law the culprits were charged to,” the statement said.

“In fact, Senator Ashiru has been vocal about the NDLEA's corruption and compromise, which might be the reason behind these allegations.”

Senator Ashiru's assistant, Olaitan Adeyanju, has issued a statement clarifying that Ashiru did not send any representatives to influence the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to drop charges against Tosin Odepidian. Additionally, Adeyanju stated that the names mentioned by the NDLEA are unknown to them, further emphasizing Ashiru's innocence in the matter.

This development comes amidst the NDLEA's allegations that illicit drugs were found in Ashiru's home, prompting Ashiru to label the agency as “corrupt and compromised.” The senator's assistant's statement aims to set the record straight and clear Ashiru's name.

“However, the Senator has challenged the agency to prosecute anyone that is found with illicit drugs,” the statement added.