The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has re-arrested a suspected drug trafficker, Ibrahim Yusuf Lawal, who allegedly jumped bail and faked his death in an attempt to evade prosecution.
The Edo State Commander of the NDLEA, Mitchell Ofoyeju, disclosed on Tuesday that the suspect was brought before the Federal High Court in Benin after investigations revealed he was still alive despite a sworn affidavit claiming otherwise.
Lawal, 50, was initially arrested on February 5, 2022, at Ugbekun Junction in Esan Central Local Government Area of Edo State while transporting psychotropic substances.
According to the agency, operatives recovered 0.257kg of Lexotan, 1kg of Diazepam and 5.4kg of Phenobarbital concealed inside a white Toyota bus with Abuja registration number BWR 401 XC.
He was later arraigned on a three-count charge related to the unlawful transportation of controlled substances under the NDLEA Act. Although he pleaded not guilty and was granted bail, he subsequently absconded and failed to appear in court.
In October 2024, the suspect’s wife, identified as Ibrahim Nana Hawa, allegedly submitted an affidavit claiming her husband died on October 3, 2024, after battling tuberculosis. The affidavit also stated that he had been buried according to Islamic rites in Okene, Kogi State.
However, the NDLEA said intelligence-led investigations uncovered that Lawal was still alive.
“Our operatives uncovered the truth that Ibrahim Yusuf Lawal was very much alive. He was recently apprehended in a covert operation and taken back into custody,” Ofoyeju said.
The suspect was re-arraigned before Justice B.O. Quadir of the Federal High Court in Benin on Tuesday, while the case was adjourned until June 22, 2026, for further hearing.
Ofoyeju described the false death claim as a deliberate attempt to obstruct justice and warned that anyone involved in the scheme, including the suspect’s wife, could face sanctions.
He also reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to combating drug trafficking and commended NDLEA operatives in Edo and Kogi states for successfully tracking and re-arresting the suspect.