By Onyewuchi Ojinnaka
The arraignment and immediate trial of a notorious Lagos drug baron Jimoh Sulaimon a.k.a Temo began on Wednesday before a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos.
Jimoh was arraigned by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) before Justice Isaac Deinde Dipeolu on 6-counts charge of being a member of a Drug Trafficking Organisation (DTO), and several other alleged drug related offences, including import, process, trafficking, dealing in 704 kilograms of cannabis sativa and concealment of illicit funds.
During arraignment of Jimoh also known with various names as Olowoidiogede, Godfather and 001, the prosecutor Lambert Nor, Head of Legal department, Lagos Command of NDLEA, told the court that Jimoh and four others namely; Ojo Emmanuel; Wasiu Olayinka Saliu; Taofeek Noah and one Kazeem, all said to be at large, belonged to a Drug Trafficking Organisation, between 2020 and 2024.
He submitted to the court that Jimoh and others now at large engaged in the alleged illegal act between Nigeria and Ghana.
According to the charge filed by NDLEA head of legal department, 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.
The charge states that told 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.
After listening to the charge preferred against him, Jimoh known as Temo, Olowoidiogede and Godfather denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty to all the counts.
Based on his plea, the prosecutor, Mr. Nor informed the court that he was ready for the trial and has four witnesses in court to testify for the prosecution.
He also asked the court to remand the defendant till the determination of the charges against him.
However, Chief Benson Ndakara, counsel to the defendant accused the anti-narcotic agency of media trial even before charging his client to court for trial.
Ndaraka said: “there has been so much media hype in this case even before coming to court, but I pray that God give my Lord the strength to hear this matter.”
After accusing the NDLEA of media trial of his client, Ndakara informed the court that the defendant’s bail application has been filed but will be moved at a later date.
While admitting being served with proof of evidence, the defence counsel submitted 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.
At the commencement of trial Jimoh Sulaimon today (Wednesday ), Mr Nor called four prosecution witnesses who are mainly exhibits keepers and forensic experts.
They gave evidence on the role each of them played in the case and also tendered several exhibits which were admitted in evidence without objection from the defence counsel.
The exhibits tendered and admitted at today’s sitting included 19 jute bags all weighing 704 kilograms of cannabis sativa, a Camry car, two phones amongst others.
At the trial , the first prosecution witness, Mr Moses Dogo Eldah an exhibits keeper with the NDLEA Central Exhibits Unit, narrated how on 13th of 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, adding that
a fiat truck, Siena car, a Toyota Camry car and two phones were also transferred to him.
According to witness Dogo, the bulk of the exhibits were also transferred to him which he kept in the agency strong room.
Upon the evidence by first prosecution witness, the prosecutor then tendered the exhibits and were admitted.
Cross examining the witness, counsel to the defendant, Chief Ndakara asked the witness if he knew how the 19 bags containing the bulk of the marijuana were recovered, and the witness answered ‘No’. The witness also admitted that he did not know how the truck and cars were recovered.
The other three witnesses also 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 judge also ordered that the defendant be remanded in the NCoS’ custody till next adjourned date.
Some of 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.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.
