N609m drugs found inside pastor's church

The resident pastor of the Eternal Sacred Order of Cherubim and Seraphim, Agodo-Egbe, Ikotun branch, Lagos State, Prophet Michael Raji has been arrested by agents of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for being in possession of suspected drugs valued at N609 million.

Raji, 60, was allegedly smuggling the 174 kilogrammes of narcotic drugs to South Africa when NDLEA men flagged him. The suspect was also said to be a top member of a drug syndicate operating in Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa. A search of his church premises revealed hidden drugs.

NDLEA spokesman, Mr. Mitchel Ofoyeju said that the suspect was arrested following the interception of the drug at the cargo section of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) during pre-shipment examination.

Ofoyeju said: “Preliminary investigation indicated that Raji is a suspected top member of a drug syndicate operating in Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa. He had three international passports bearing his photographs with the names Michael Raji and Kadigun Fatah Ola respectively. It was equally discovered that the church premises where he ministers also serves as a warehouse for narcotics.”

Raji said: “I received the drugs from my friend and I kept them in the church since October 2014. I’m the resident pastor of Cherubim and Seraphim Agodo-Egbe, Ikotun branch, Lagos. I attended Ansarudeen Primary and Secondary School Ibadan. I later attended Yaba College of Technology where I had my Trade Test in Electrical Installation. I was ordained a full time pastor in 1977. This is a great temptation for me and I pray to God to overcome it.”

 The seized drugs concealed inside large bags of foodstuff were found to contain 91kg of Methamphetamine and 83kg of Ephedrine with an estimated street value of N609 million.

A Mercedes Benz Jeep was also impounded during the operation.

NDLEA commander at the Lagos Airport, Mr. Hamza Umar described the suspect as a smooth operator.

Umar said: “I can tell you that this suspect is a smooth operator but we have uncovered his bag of tricks. The drugs were brought to the airport for export to South Africa where it was detected. Investigation eventually traced the movement of the drugs to his church premises where he was arrested.”

Chairman of NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade said that the game was up for the suspect.

Giade added: “The game is up for the suspect and we have strong evidence for prosecution. This is one of the largest seizures of psychotropic substances at the airport. We are working very hard to apprehend other accomplices and bring them to book.”