Ill-health Stalls Trial Of Lagos Drug Lord, Temo Olowoidiogede

The continued trial of the alleged drug dealer, Alhaji Jimoh Sulaimon Olowoidigede, popularly called Temo, was stalled on Monday, due to his ill-health.

The alleged drug baron, who is also known as godfather and 001, is standing trial before Justice Deinde Dipeolu of a Federal HighCourt sitting in Lagos, by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), on a six-count of conspiracy, trafficking 704 Kilogrames of cannabis sativa (Ghana Loud), running of a Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO), and money laundering.

The offences which contravened sections 20(1)(g); 14(b); 18(a); 20(i); 11(b) and 11(c) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
The offences he had denied and pleaded not guilty to.

Despite his not guilty plea, the court has ordered accelerated hearing of the charges against him, while refused his bail application

So far, the prosecution has called 11 witnesses in the matter.

He was first arraigned before the court September 25, 2024, on the alleged offences.

At the continued trial of the matter today, the prosecution was represented by the dou of Mrs. Theresa Asuquo and Lambert Nor, while Chief Benson Ndakara led the dou of Kate Igbo and Evans Ajoku, appeared for the alleged drug baron.

The led prosecutor, Mrs. Asuquo, in her submission told the court that when her co-prosecutor, Mr. Lambert went to found out about the defendant, they were told he was produced, only to be told another different thing in court.

Following Asuquo’s submissions, an official of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS), Mr. Martin Odu, informed the court that the defendant was sick and he is on admission in the facility’s clinic, hence he was not brought to court.

Upon the explanation NCoS’ official, on the State of health of the defendant, and after the presiding judge gave her a copy of the defendant’s medical report to the prosecutor, she urged the court to adjourn the trial till tomorrow, as the court had earlier fixed three days for the trial of the defendant.

Meanwhile, defendant’s counsel, Chief Ndakara, told the court that the new medical report was a follow up to the one sent earlier. He added that from what he saw in the report, even the Correctional center do not have the facility to treat his client.

He also informed the court that another bail application has been filed and same has been served on the prosecution, but there was no counter yet.

The prosecutor, told the court that they are yet to be served, they are vehemently opposing the application.

Based on the parties submissions, the court adjourned the matter till Tuesday, for continuation of defendant’s trial.

Charges against the defendant reads: “that you Jimoh Suleimon Olowoidiogede a.k.a. “Godfather”, “001” and “Temo” Male. 57 years old being the Kingpin, Ojo Emmanuel; Wasiu Olayinka Saliu, Taofeek, Noah and one Kazeem all at large between 2020 and 2024 in Lagos State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court Conspired to form and operate a Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO) to wit: import. process. Traffic and otherwise deal in Cannabis Sativa a drug similar to Cocaine, Heroin and LSD using Managers, Couriers and Associates and you thereby committed an offence as provided for and punishable under Section 14 (b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

“That you Jimoh Suleimon Olowoidiogede a.k.a. “Godfather”, “001” and “Temo” Male, 57 years old being the Kingpin, Ojo Emmanuel, Wasiu Olayinka Saliu, Taofeek, Noah and one Kazeem all at large between 2020 and 2024 in Lagos State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court and without lawful authority engaged in the Organization, Management, and Financing of a Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO) by the import, process, Traffic and otherwise deal in Cannabis Sativa 8 drug similar to cocaine, Heroin and LSD and you thereby committed an offence a Provided for in Section 20 (1)(g) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and punishable under section 20 (2)(b) of the same Act.

“That you Jimoh Suleimon Olowoidiogede aka “Godfather”, 001, “Temo'”, Male 57 years Old being the Kingpin, Ojo Emmanuel, Wasiu Olayinka Taofeek Noah and one Kazeem all at large, between 2020 and 2024 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court Conspired to convert the proceeds of illicit traffick in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances into ostensible legitimate enterprises and you thereby committed an offence as provided for under Section 18 ta) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act. 2022 end punishable under section 18 (3) and (7).

“That you Jimoh Suleimon Olowoidiogede a.k.a. “Godfather”, “001” and “Temo” Male, 57 years old being the Kingpin, Ojo Emmanuel, Wasiu Olayinka Saliu, Taofeek, Noah and one Kazeem all at large between 2020 and 2024 in Lagos State without lawful authority engaged in the concealment and disguise of the true source of proceeds of illicit Dealing in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic substances to wit: Cannabis Sativa (Ghana Loud) and you thereby committed an offence as provided for and punishable under section 20 (i) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N 30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

“That you Jimoh Suleimon Olowoidiogede a.k.a. “Godfather”, “001” and “Temo” Male, 57 years old being the Kingpin, on or about the 11th of November 2020, one Wasiu Olayinka Saliu now at Large within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court and without lawful authority trafficked in 704 Kilogrammes of Cannabis Sanwa (Ghana Loud”) a drug similar to Cocaine, Heroin and LSD from Ghana to Nigeria and you thereby committed an offence as provided for and punishable under section 1 (b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N 30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

“That you Jimoh Suleimon Olowoidiogede a k.a. “Godfather, “001”, “Temo” Male, 57 years old on of about the 1st of November. 2020 and one Wasiu Olayinka Saliu now at Large within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court ard without lawful authority dealt in 704 Kilogrammes of Cannabis Sativa (Ghana Loud) a drug similar to Cocaine, Heroin and LSD and you thereby committed an Offence Provided for ang punishable under section 11 (c) of the National Drug aw Agency Act Cap N 30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004

“That you Jimoh Suleimon Olowoidiogede a k.a. “Godfather”, “001″ and Temo” Male 57 years old on oy about the 11th of November, 2020 within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Coun procured Wasiu Olayinka Saliu to traffick in Cannabis Sativa (Ghana Loud) a drug similar to Cocaine, Heroin and LSD.

Wasiu Olayinka Saliu was arrested at Eko Atlantic City, Lagos wherein he is Charged the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos in Charge No. FHC/L/320c/2020 and you thereby committed an offence as provided for under section 21 (2)(d) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N 30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 ang punishable under Section 11(b) of the same Act.”