The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has arrested Suleiman Aremu Ganiu the Managing Director/CEO of Barryshine Suleiman Nigeria Ltd, for alleged involvement to smuggle cocaine to Saudi Arabia and Qatar via Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, between 2022 and 2024.
NDLEA disclosed that, Suleiman had been on their watchlist due to his suspected role in four foiled drug smuggling attempts. His name first surfaced on November 13, 2022, when a female passenger, Alhaja Ajisegiri Kehinde Sidika, was arrested with 400 grams of cocaine concealed in female footwear while boarding a Qatar Airways flight to Saudi Arabia.
Investigations disclosed that Sidika had been hired by Suleiman’s brother, Abdullahi Olarenwaju Ramon, with travel expenses covered by Alhaji Suleiman Ganiu Aremu. Another drug mule, Lawal Lateef Oyenuga, was arrested just days later on November 24, 2022, also with 400 grams of cocaine hidden in male footwear. Oyenuga later confessed that he was recruited by Wasiu Sanni Gbolahan, aka “Teacher,” who was working for Suleiman.
Further investigation linked the operation to Oluwafemi Akande Abidoye, also known by several aliases, including “Igbono” and “Murphy,” who recruited traffickers for Suleiman. While the NDLEA’s manhunt for the kingpin continued, two more drug mules, Aikhomoun Daniel and Ayigoro Waheed Omobolaji, were arrested on June 21, 2024, while attempting to smuggle cocaine to Qatar. Both suspects had ingested significant quantities of the drug.
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Financial investigations tied Suleiman to the cartel, and on August 26, 2024, he was apprehended. Suleiman, who claimed to be a property developer and hotelier, denied his involvement in drug trafficking, stating that his frequent trips to Saudi Arabia were for religious purposes. However, the NDLEA traced multiple properties linked to him, including two houses in Ebute-Meta and Barryshine Hotel in Yaba, Lagos.
Justice Dipeolu Deinde Isaac of the Federal High Court in Lagos has granted the NDLEA’s request to extend Suleiman’s detention by 30 days and declared his associates, Oluwafemi Akande Abidoye and Olarenwaju Ramon, wanted.
NDLEA Chairman, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended the officers involved in the two-year investigation, which has led to the arrest of the kingpin and the conviction of several traffickers, stressing that no one involved in drug trafficking will evade justice, regardless of how long it takes.
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