By Onyewuchi Ojinnaka
Mr Majin Gideon, a Digital Forensic Analyst with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and 12th prosecution witness, has narrated before the court how technology exposed the illicit drug transactions between an alleged drug baron, Alhaji Sulaimon Jimoh Olowoidiogede a.k.a. Temo, and his supposed accomplices in the international drugs business in Ghana.
This exposure was made known on Wednesday and Thursday at the continued trial of the alleged drug baron, who is being prosecuted by the NDLEA before a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos.
Mr. Gideon analysed and explicitly interpreted what transpired between the alleged drug baron, Temo and his Ghana’s trans-border drug allies in about 45 pages visual-audio clip played during the proceedings.
The prosecution witness while testifying in the matter, told the court that Temo’s Samsung Galaxy mobile phone was given to him to analyse and that after analysing the phone and SIM, he made a report as well, and prepare a Certificate.
Majin said that on analysing the phone and SIM, it was established that the defendant (Temo) operates a Drug Trade Organisation (DTO) and that the defendant imports Cannabis Sativa from Ghana for distribution in Nigeria.
The witness further told the court that upon analyzing the phone, he then prepared his report.
After the witness has given the preliminary aspect of his evidence, the prosecutors, Mrs. Theresa Asuquo and Mr. Lambert Nor, applied that the video evidence from the data extracted from the defendant’s phone be played in open court.
Upon the playing of the video in open court, the witness said; “from the analysis done on Temo’s phone, it was discovered that the name used in registering the phone number 08023405019 by Temo was Akanbi.”
The witness further told the court that from the evidence extracted from the phone, it was discovered that Olowoidiogede also established a phone conversation with one George Saba with a Ghanaian phone number, who addressed him as Oga Temo, and said Oga Temo please what is our next plan?.
“Also revealed through the analysis is a shared payment receipt from Olowoidiogede to Sulaimon Shehu Seun who was arrested by NDLEA and who mentioned Olowoidiogede as the one who recruited him into the drug trade and owns the drug exhibit (marijuana) recovered from him. The witness said this shows the first link between Temo and Seun who is currently facing trial for drug trafficking “
Majin further told the court that it was established through the analysis of the phone that Temo imports cannabis to Nigeria through waters, adding that Sulaimon Olowoidiogede shared the information of the illicit drug trade with Sulaimon Seun.
During the showing of the audio clip, it was seen how Olowoidiogede shared some bank payment receipts running into millions with his several Ghanaian suppliers of Marijuana. He made several voice calls to many of them with coded names used in the transaction includes: Baba Ibeji, Isaac Ghana, Cherry Ghana, Yusuf Ghana, Father Ghana.
It was further revealed through the displayed audio that was played in court, how Temo and his business allies from Ghana freely discussed transactions modalities for movement of the drug on the high sea from Ghana to Nigeria, resolve business disputes that arose either from amount to be payed or payed, missing or stolen drugs in transit as well as, how some top Naval officers were assisting them in monitoring and movement of the drugs at the sea.
The analysed video also revealed the involvement of Temo’s wife, Sherifat Jimoh, who based in Ghana, in the illicit trade.
Meanwhile, the case has been adjourned till December 10, 11 and 12, for continuation of trial.
The alleged drug baron, who is also known as godfather and 001, is being tried before the court on a six-count charge of conspiracy, trafficking 704 Kilogrames of cannabis sativa (Ghana Loud), running of a Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO), and money laundering.
The offences 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.
The defendant was first arraigned before the court on September 25, 2024, on the alleged offences and he had pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Charges against the defendant reads: “that you Jimoh Suleimon Olowoidiogede a.k.a. “Godfather”, “001” and “Temo” Male, 57 years old being the Kingpin, Ojo Emmanuel; Wasiu Olayinka Saliu, Taofeek, Noah and one Kazeem all at large between 2020 and 2024 in Lagos State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court conspired to form and operate a Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO) to wit: import. process. Traffic and otherwise deal in Cannabis Sativa a drug similar to Cocaine, Heroin and LSD using Managers, Couriers and Associates and you thereby committed an offence as provided for and punishable under Section 14 (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” and “Temo” Male, 57 years old being the Kingpin, Ojo Emmanuel, Wasiu Olayinka Saliu, Taofeek, Noah and one Kazeem all at large between 2020 and 2024 in Lagos State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court and without lawful authority engaged in the Organization, Management, and Financing of a Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO) by the import, process, Traffic and otherwise deal in Cannabis Sativa 8 drug similar to cocaine, Heroin and LSD and you thereby committed an offence a Provided for in Section 20 (1)(g) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and punishable under section 20 (2)(b) of the same Act.
“That you Jimoh Suleimon Olowoidiogede aka “Godfather”, 001, “Temo'”, Male 57 years Old being the Kingpin, Ojo Emmanuel, Wasiu Olayinka Taofeek Noah and one Kazeem all at large, between 2020 and 2024 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court Conspired to convert the proceeds of illicit traffick in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances into ostensible legitimate enterprises and you thereby committed an offence as provided for under Section 18 ta) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act. 2022 end punishable under section 18 (3) and (7).
“That you Jimoh Suleimon Olowoidiogede a.k.a. “Godfather”, “001” and “Temo” Male, 57 years old being the Kingpin, Ojo Emmanuel, Wasiu Olayinka Saliu, Taofeek, Noah and one Kazeem all at large between 2020 and 2024 in Lagos State 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 (i) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N 30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
“That you Jimoh Suleimon Olowoidiogede a.k.a. “Godfather”, “001” and “Temo” Male, 57 years old being the Kingpin, on or about the 11th of November 2020, one Wasiu Olayinka Saliu now at Large within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court and without lawful authority trafficked in 704 Kilogrammes of Cannabis Sanwa (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 1 (b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N 30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
“That you Jimoh Suleimon Olowoidiogede a k.a. “Godfather, “001”, “Temo” Male, 57 years old on of about the 1st of November. 2020 and one Wasiu Olayinka Saliu now at Large within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court ard without lawful authority dealt in 704 Kilogrammes of Cannabis Sativa (Ghana Loud) a drug similar to Cocaine, Heroin and LSD and you thereby committed an Offence Provided for ang punishable under section 11 (c) of the National Drug aw Agency Act Cap N 30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004
“That you Jimoh Suleimon Olowoidiogede a k.a. “Godfather”, “001″ and Temo” Male 57 years old on oy about the 11th of November, 2020 within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Coun procured Wasiu Olayinka Saliu to traffick in Cannabis Sativa (Ghana Loud) a drug similar to Cocaine, Heroin and LSD and the ing wasiu Olayinka Saliu was arrested at Eko Atlantic City, Lagos wherein he is Charged the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos in Charge No. FHC/L/320c/2020 and you thereby committed an offence as provided for under section 21 (2)(d) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N 30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 ang punishable under Section 11(b) of the same Act.”