Suspected cannabis dealer accuses NDLEA of torture

A suspected cannabis dealer, Emmanuel Oko Uwa has accused operatives of  the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency(NDLEA) of torturing him.

The Agency spokesman, Mitchell Ofoyeju, denied the allegation, adding that the Agency’s data bank was inundated with vital and relevant information on Uwa. 

 

Ofoyeju said: "He had been arrested on several occasions between 2012 and 2015 with two pending cases at the Federal High Court, Abakaliki.  The Agency will not be deterred by the antics of suspected drug traffickers but would rather remain committed in prosecuting its cases to a successful end."

 

NDLEA commander in Ebonyi State, Mr. Ralph Igwenagu described allegation of torture by the accused as false and diversionary. “The accused who claim to be a palm oil merchant is a notorious cannabis dealer. He has two pending cases at the Federal High Court, Abakaliki. He was first arrested in 2008 but was counseled and released for want of drug exhibit. While he was still under surveillance, his house was searched on 15^th January 2010 where 1.7kgs of cannabis was found and he was charged to court. In 2013, he was rearrested with 500 grammes of cannabis and charged to court again. The last arrest was in March 2015 when he was found with 700 grammes of cannabis. His claim of torture is therefore diversionary.” 

 

 Uwa in his statement,  told narcotic investigators that he was born 39 years ago. 

His words: “I am from Agboride Amaizu in Afikpo North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. I Attended St. Michael Primary School Alioma Owerri, Imo State but later completed my primary education at Amaizu Amangbala Primary School Afikpo in 1986. I could not further my education because my father died shortly after I completed my primary school. I got married in 2003 and I have two children. I started palm oil business but later switched to cannabis to make ends meet.”

 

Chairman of the NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade said that all legal means to put an end to his criminal activities will be explored. 

He added: “We are not new to the antics of drug traffickers. The Agency will therefore explore legal means in bringing his criminal activities to an end. Efforts are ongoing to pursue his case to a logical conclusion."