The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has re-arrested a suspected drug trafficker in Edo State after authorities say he skipped bail and was falsely declared dead by his wife in an alleged attempt to derail his prosecution.
The suspect, identified as Ibrahim Yusuf Lawal, was arraigned before Justice B.O. Quadir of the Federal High Court in Benin following what the agency described as a covert intelligence-led operation that uncovered the alleged deception.
According to Edo State NDLEA Commander Mitchell Ofoyeju, Lawal was initially arrested on February 5, 2022, at Ugbekun Junction in Esan Central Local Government Area while allegedly transporting psychotropic substances concealed inside a Toyota bus.
The agency said operatives recovered 0.257kg of Lexotan, 1kg of Diazepam, and 5.4kg of Phenobarbital during the operation.
Lawal was subsequently charged under provisions of the NDLEA Act relating to the unlawful transportation of controlled substances. He pleaded not guilty and was granted bail by the court.
However, prosecutors said the suspect later absconded and repeatedly failed to appear for trial proceedings.
In what investigators now describe as an elaborate effort to obstruct justice, Lawal’s wife allegedly submitted an affidavit claiming that her husband had died in October 2024 after suffering complications from tuberculosis and had been buried in Kogi State according to Islamic rites.
The NDLEA said subsequent investigations revealed that the suspect was alive and still evading authorities.
Acting on fresh intelligence, operatives reportedly tracked and re-arrested Lawal during a covert operation before bringing him back before the Federal High Court in Benin.
The matter was adjourned until June 22, 2026, for further hearing.
The anti-narcotics agency warned that anyone found complicit in the alleged false death scheme — including the suspect’s wife — could face criminal prosecution for attempting to frustrate judicial proceedings.
The NDLEA also reiterated its commitment to combating drug trafficking and called on members of the public to continue providing credible intelligence to law enforcement agencies.
