Would you like to receive notifications on latest updates of the following headlines?

Akpabio debunks claim of Ashiru's involvement in drugs allegation

POSTED ON October 23, 2024 •   Politics      BY Benedicta Bassey
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio/ Photo credit: Guardian

*Demands proofs from NDLEA

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has debunked the claims that the Deputy Senate Leader, Yisa Ashiru was involved in a drug allegation.

Akpabio, therefore, urged the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and other relevant agencies to substantiate the drug-related allegations levelled against Ashiru.

Ashiru had accused the agency of being “the most corrupt and compromised agency” during last week’s debate on a bill seeking to establish the National Institute for Drug Awareness and Rehabilitation.

Reacting, NDLEA in a statement by its spokesperson, Femi Babafemi,  alleged that the senator’s residence in Kwara was raided after intelligence revealed it was being used as a drug joint.

Babafemi further alleged that two of the senator’s aides were arrested during the raid, while one managed to escape.

The statement read in part: “The personal house of the senator in GRA Ilorin, the capital of Kwara State, had been raided in the recent past, where drugs and illicit substances were recovered while two of his aides: Ibrahim Mohammed and Muhammed Yahaya, were arrested based on credible intelligence and surveillance, which confirmed that the senator’s house was being used as a drug joint for dealers and users."

Speaking after a motion by Ashiru at plenary on Tuesday, Akpabio dismissed the NDLEA’s claims, describing them as motivated by personal vendetta.

During Tuesday’s plenary, the Senate also constituted a six-member ad hoc committee to probe the allegations.

The committee is chaired by Enyinnaya Abaribe (APGA, Abia South), with Kaka Shehu (APC, Borno Central), Ireti Kingibe (LP, FCT), Afolabi Salisu (APC, Ogun Central), Ede Dafinone (APC, Delta Central), and Lawal Usman (PDP, Kaduna Central) as members.

Speaking at plenary, Akpabio said, “I personally feel that whatever the NDLEA is doing must be based on your [Ashiru’s] submission here, which pointed out that the issue of integrity among NDLEA officials should be scrutinised, particularly during the debate on the establishment of the rehabilitation centre for drug users.”

“If the NDLEA felt you were a drug baron, they should have arrested you before you turned 30. They should have brought it up before you were 50, 60, or even 65. Not at the age of 68, just after you made contributions on the Senate floor.”

He continued, “I understand that someone went on television quoting what you said on the Senate floor.

“Nigerians seem unaware that whatever is said here is privileged, covered by immunity, and not subject to debate on television or radio.

“You have never been invited or charged by the NDLEA, and as far as we know in the Senate, you are a gentleman who doesn’t even take alcohol. This is a serious issue, and we must call the NDLEA to order.”

Akpabio then called for an ad hoc committee to be set up to “invite the NDLEA and others involved to justify these allegations,” warning that if the agency failed to do so, “the Senate will take drastic action.”

Earlier, Ashiru had moved a motion of urgent national importance, citing Senate Standing Orders 9, 10, 41, and 52.

He decried the NDLEA’s allegations as “mischievous and misleading.”

In a motion under personal explanation, Ashiru addressed the agency’s reaction to his comments during the debate on the bill seeking to establish the National Institute for Drug Awareness and Rehabilitation.

Ashiru explained, “I expressed my concerns on this bill because of the overwhelming information from my constituency about the negative effects of drug consumption and trafficking.

“One of my constituents even told me that in the last two years, he has seen 50 people lose their sanity due to drug use.”

“There are also visible examples of drug barons making money from drug distribution in my constituency and others.

“I contributed on the floor, urging the Senate to investigate the operations of the NDLEA and address corruption among its operatives.

“I fully supported the bill for the establishment of another agency to handle drug rehabilitation.”

Ashiru sought to clear his name, stressing, “I am 68 years old and cannot even identify cannabis or any drug.

“Beyond drinking water, I don’t take alcohol, drugs, or even carbonated drinks. The NDLEA’s claims are a direct reaction to my comments on the floor of the Senate.”

He further condemned the NDLEA’s actions, saying, “This is an attempt to curb the Senate’s right to free debate on national issues.

“The NDLEA’s allegations are malicious, an attempt to undermine my credibility and hinder my full participation in parliamentary debates.”

Ashiru urged the Senate to take action to protect him and other members from such unfounded allegations.

READ ALSO
Obi Urges Tougher Penalties for Corruption amid Nigeria's Leadership Crisis
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 16, 2025 0

Peter Obi, a prominent opposition figure in Nigeria, has called for harsher penalties for corrupt po...

READ ALSO
Police Re-Arraign VeryDarkMan for Alleged Cyberbullying of  Nollywood Actress, others
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 15, 2025 0

Controversial social media personality Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), was on Th...

READ ALSO
House of Representatives Advances Bill to Make Voting Mandatory for Nigerians
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 15, 2025 0

Abuja, Nigeria- The House of Representatives has passed for second reading a bill seeking to am...

READ ALSO
NANS Calls for JAMB Registrar Ishaq Oloyede's Resignation Over 2025 UTME Errors
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 15, 2025 0

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has called for the resignation of Ishaq Oloyede...

READ ALSO
DSS vs. Pat Utomi: Legal Battle Over Shadow Government Tests Nigeria’s Democratic Boundaries
BY ROCKETPARROT.com staff May 15, 2025 0

The Department of State Services (DSS) has filed a lawsuit against Prof. Pat Utomi, a renowned eco...

READ ALSO
Shadow Government or Civic Protest? Experts Debate What Pat Utomi's Move Really Means
BY ROCKETPARROT.com staff May 15, 2025 0

ABUJA – As the Department of State Services (DSS) seeks to shut down Prof. Pat Utomi’s s...

READ ALSO
Nasarawa Assembly Enacts Mining Bill to Ensure Compliance and Community Welfare
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 14, 2025 0

NASARAWA, Nigeria - The Nasarawa House of Assembly On Tuesday approved a mining bill aimed at regula...

READ ALSO
CDS Urges Vigilance and Unity among Troops in Fight Against Insurgency
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 13, 2025 0

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, praised the troops of Operation FASAN YAMMA...

OUR CHANNELS:

House of Representatives Advances Bill to Make Voting Mandatory for Nigerians
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 15, 2025 0

Abuja, Nigeria- The House of Representatives has passed for second reading a bill seeking to am...


NANS Calls for JAMB Registrar Ishaq Oloyede's Resignation Over 2025 UTME Errors
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 15, 2025 0

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has called for the resignation of Ishaq Oloyede...


Peter Obi Commends JAMB’s Accountability, Warns of Institutional Fragility Over UTME Glitches
BY ROCKETPARROT.com staff May 15, 2025 0

Former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, ...


Lagos Introduces Specialized Units for Crime Prevention
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 15, 2025 0

In an effort to keep Lagos secure for both its residents and visitors, the Neighbourhood Safety Agen...


UK Urges Nigerians to Combat Visa Fraud amid Surge in Applications
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 15, 2025 0

Richard Montgomery, the British High Commissioner in Nigeria, has called on Nigerians to stay alert...


FOX59: Woman Fatally Shot Outside Event Center on Indianapolis East Side
BY ROCKETPARROT.com staff May 15, 2025 0

INDIANAPOLIS — A woman was shot and killed Wednesday night outside an event center on the east...


DSS vs. Pat Utomi: Legal Battle Over Shadow Government Tests Nigeria’s Democratic Boundaries
BY ROCKETPARROT.com staff May 15, 2025 0

The Department of State Services (DSS) has filed a lawsuit against Prof. Pat Utomi, a renowned eco...


Shadow Government or Civic Protest? Experts Debate What Pat Utomi's Move Really Means
BY ROCKETPARROT.com staff May 16, 2025 0

ABUJA – As the Department of State Services (DSS) seeks to shut down Prof. Pat Utomi’s s...


Will Pope Leo XIV Lose His American Citizenship? A Legal and Diplomatic Puzzle Unfolds
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 15, 2025 0

VATICAN CITY – When Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected Pope Leo XIV on May 8, he beca...


30% of Lagos State Employees on Study Leave Abroad Fail to Return - Commissioner
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 15, 2025 0

LAGOS, Nigeria - The Lagos State government has disclosed that 30% of its employees who took study l...


More Articles

Load more...

Menu