197 drug convicts evaded prison – Giade
The Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Ahmadu Giade, has revealed how197 convicted drug traffickers manipulated their way out of lawful custody. Giade made the disclosure during the public destruction of a huge quantity of illicit drugs at Bereko, Badagry Lagos.
The drugs include 18,420.71kg of cannabis, 268.9533kg of cocaine/heroin and 101.932kg of methamphetamine/ephedrine.
Giade said: “The plot was uncovered by the NDLEA when a drug convict who ought to be in prison was re-arrested, while attempting to smuggle drugs at the Kano airport. That was how a cartel that aided 197 convicted drug traffickers to evade serving their sentences was detected by the NDLEA.
The police investigated the case and confirmed my findings that 197 drug convicts were left off the hook with the connivance of some court clerks and prison warders” Giade stated.
He explained that “statutorily, NDLEA has no business taking care of an accused once the person had been arraigned and remanded in prison custody. The Agency discovered that the criminal act took place between the court and the prison after an accused had been sentenced. This is a wake-up call for stakeholders to remain sensitive and prevent any act capable of undermining the criminal justice system.”
