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
Gboyega lauds Tinubu's action on fuel supply for border towns
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 5, 2025 0

The member of the House of Representatives for Yewa North/Imeko-Afon Federal Constituency, Gboyega I...

READ ALSO
Suspended Rivers Governor Attends Thanksgiving amid Political Turmoil
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 5, 2025 0

RIVERS, Nigeria - Suspended Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara was present yesterday at the Boy...

READ ALSO
Tinubu Pledges Advanced Technology in Fight against Banditry and Terrorism
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 4, 2025 0

ABUJA, Nigeria - President Bola Tinubu has reiterated his administration’s dedication to recla...

READ ALSO
SERAP, Guild of Editors Demand End to 'Draconian' Cybercrimes Law Targeting Free Expression in Nigeria
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 4, 2025 0

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, along with the Nigerian Guild of Editors, has...

READ ALSO
I Am Not in EFCC Custody, Mele Kyari Speaks Out
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 4, 2025 0

The former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL),...

READ ALSO
APC disqualifies 38 aspirants ahead of Lagos LG elections, clear 432 for primaries
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 3, 2025 0

LAGOS, Nigeria - In anticipation of the Local Government Elections set for July 12, 2025, the Lagos...

READ ALSO
Tinubu pledges support, Welfare for troops in battle against insecurity
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 3, 2025 0

President Bola Tinubu praised Nigerian soldiers on Friday, referring to them as courageous, valiant...

READ ALSO
Bode George calls on Tinubu to adopt 2014 CONFAB for a better Nigeria
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 3, 2025 0

A former Deputy National Chairman of the PDP, Bode George, has urged President Bola Tinubu to adopt...

OUR CHANNELS:

Gombe Chief Judge releases 85 inmates from correctional facilities
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 6, 2025 0

GOMBE, Nigeria - The Chief Judge of Gombe State, Halima Mohammed, has approved the release of 85 inm...


A armed man shoot dead outside Hendricks County Courthouse
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 6, 2025 0

An armed man was shot and killed outside the Hendricks County Courthouse on Monday afternoon, prompt...


Atiku slam EFCC over Verydarkman’s arrest
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 6, 2025 0

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has condemned the arrest and detention of human rights activist...


England football player rejects Liverpool contract for Real Madrid
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 5, 2025 0

England right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold has confirmed he will leave Premier League champions Liver...


Nigerians protest against Verydarkman’s detention
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 6, 2025 0

Hundreds of Nigerian youths took to the street of Abuja, demanding the immediate release of human ri...


10,000 IDPs left homeless as Gov. Zulum orders camp closure
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 5, 2025 0

BORNO, Nigeria - No fewer than 10,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Borno State have been l...


JAMB may retain 140 Cut-Off Mark as 1.5m candidate score below 200 in 2025 UTME
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 6, 2025 0

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) May have to maintain the 140 general cut-off mar...


Gboyega lauds Tinubu's action on fuel supply for border towns
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 5, 2025 0

The member of the House of Representatives for Yewa North/Imeko-Afon Federal Constituency, Gboyega I...


Potential successors to Pope Francis as conclave approaches
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 5, 2025 0

Without any formal campaigning or official candidate list, the election process remains largely opaq...


Nigeria's Foreign Exchange Market Sees Significant Inflow Decrease as Foreign Contributions Drop by 16.5%
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 5, 2025 0

The Financial Market Dealers Quotation (FMDQ) has reported that total inflows into Nigeria's exchang...


More Articles

Load more...

Menu