Music producer, others arrested
with N374million worth of banned
substances
An Asaba based music producer, Micheal Okafor
(pictured above) and three other Nigerians based
in South Africa namely, Obi John Chukwuenyem,
Gilbert Kelvin and Deborah Ifeoma, have been
arrested by officials of the National Drug Law
Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for having in their
possessions, banned drugs weighing 41.625
kilogrammes comprising 36.675kg of
methamphetamine and 4.95 kilogrammes of
cocaine with an estimated street value of over
N374,625million.
The suspects were all arrested at the Murtala
Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) while
departing and arriving Nigeria. Speaking on their
arrest, the Lagos Airport NDLEA Commander, Mr
Hamza Umar said Obi John Chukwuenyem (48)
was arrested with 21.695 kilogrammes of
methamphetamine found inside his bag; Gilbert
Kelvin (37) with 9.980 kilogrammes of
methamphetamine concealed inside solar
security lamps; Deborah Ifeoma who is a mother
of seven (40) with five kilogrammes of
methamphetamine packed inside foodstuff while
Okafor Michael (44) the music producer was with
4.95 kilogrammes of cocaine hidden inside
silicon sealants.
When interrogated, some of the suspects said
they were not aware the drugs were concealed in
their goods. Obi John who lives in South Africa,
said he ventured into the business so he could
pay his children's school fees
“I struggle to feed my family by selling
foodstuff. Now, the business is near-
moribund. A friend met me on my birthday
and introduced me into drug trafficking. He
promised to pay me 15,000 South Africa
rand. My children are out of school because
of my inability to pay tuition fee. This is the
first time I would deal in drugs and I regret
everything. I pray to be out of this problem”
he said.
Gilbert, who claims to be into importation and
exportation of phones and clothes, said he has
five children from three women and has suffered
major loses in his business
“My business is grounded and I now live
from hand to mouth. My South African
friend for over ten years gave me solar
lamps where the drug was found. He used
to assist me financially and he also
promised to pay my children’s school fees.”
Deborah who is a mother of seven said
“I take care of my seven children from
selling foodstuffs. I came to Nigeria to buy
foodstuffs like melon, vegetables and other
local spices. I approached a man in South
Africa for financial assistance to enable me
expand my business. He called me that
somebody would give me some food items
for him. When I got to the airport, NDLEA
officers detected methamphetamine in the
package given to me by the man. This was
how I found myself in this situation”.
For the Asaba based musician who was coming
into Nigeria from Brazil when he was
apprehended, said he was not aware the hard
substances were in a bag a friend gave him to
deliver to someone in Nigeria
“I am a music producer. I traveled to Brazil
to promote my music label and to partner
other producers. I had a successful deal but
on my way back, I accepted a bag from a
friend I met in Sao Paulo to take to Nigeria.
When I got here, NDLEA demanded to
search and 29 out of the 34 sealants were
found to contain cocaine. This is a major
setback for my career and I feel very bad.”