The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has re-arrested a suspected drug trafficker in Edo State after his wife allegedly submitted a fake affidavit claiming he had died.
The suspect, identified as 50-year-old Ibrahim Yusuf Lawal, was brought before the Federal High Court in Benin after reportedly jumping bail years earlier.
According to the NDLEA, Lawal was first arrested on February 5, 2022, at Ugbekun Junction in Esan Central Local Government Area of Edo State while transporting large quantities of psychotropic substances.
NDLEA Edo State Commander, Mitchell Ofoyeju, disclosed that the suspect was allegedly found with 0.257kg of Lexotan, 1kg of Diazepam, and 5.4kg of Phenobarbital concealed inside a Toyota bus.
The agency said Lawal was later charged to court for unlawful transportation of controlled substances under the NDLEA Act.
After pleading not guilty, the suspect was granted bail but reportedly disappeared and stopped appearing in court.
In what authorities described as an attempt to evade prosecution, Lawal’s wife allegedly submitted an affidavit in October 2024 claiming her husband had died after battling tuberculosis.
The affidavit reportedly stated that he was buried according to Islamic rites in Okene, Kogi State.
However, NDLEA operatives launched an investigation after receiving intelligence suggesting that the suspect was still alive.
According to Ofoyeju, the agency eventually tracked and re-arrested Lawal during a covert operation.
“Operatives uncovered the truth that Ibrahim Yusuf Lawal was very much alive,” the commander said.
The suspect was brought 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.
The NDLEA described the alleged fake death affidavit as a serious attempt to obstruct justice and warned that everyone involved in the scheme, including the suspect’s wife, could face sanctions.
“The use of a false death affidavit to evade prosecution is a serious offence,” Ofoyeju stated.
He added that the case should serve as a warning to drug traffickers and anyone trying to escape justice through deception.
The agency also reaffirmed its commitment to fighting illicit drug trafficking across the country and urged Nigerians to continue providing useful information to support its operations.
The unusual case has since sparked major reactions online, with many Nigerians shocked by the alleged attempt to fake a suspect’s death to avoid prosecution.
Source: NDLEA Edo State Command statement.
