MICHAEL AKINOLA
The operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have arrested the General Overseer of Seraphic and Sabbath Assembly, High Priest Nnodu Azuka Kenrick, over failed illicit drug deal inside his church in Lagos State.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that High Priest Kenrick, who is also the founder of the church, was arrested along with a student of Emmanuel College of Theology, Samanta, Ibadan, Udezuka Udoka and their freight agent, Oyoyo Mary Obasi, currently in custody over their conduct.
They were alleged to have attempted to export methamphetamine and skunk consignments concealed in kegs of palm oil through the NAHCO export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja Lagos to Dubai, United Arab Emirate.
However, they ran out of luck and all their arrangements failed woefully as the eagle eyes of NDLEA officials on duty detected, arrested them and recovered the items as exhibits.
This was disclosed by the NDLEA spokesman, Mr. Femi Babafemi, on Sunday, who confirmed that the suspects were in custody undergoing interrogation.
He stated that High Priest Kenrick was arrested on Saturday, 11th February, 2023 at his Seraphic and Sabbath Assembly church located at No 1, Sabbath Close, Ijesha area of Lagos, following the arrest of two suspects: Oyoyo Mary Obasi and Udezuka Udoka on Thursday, 9th February at the Lagos airport in connection with the seizure of 283 parcels of skunk weighing 14.90 kilograms and 204 grams of methamphetamine concealed in four 25-litre kegs of palm oil for export to Dubai.
“In her statement, Mary indicted the General Overseer of her new-found church, Nnodu and his son, Chisom Obi, who is now at large, as the persons that gave her the consignments for export after being compelled to take an oath of secrecy as well as a sacrifice of chicken in the church while High Priest Nnodu prayed for her for the success of the transaction.”
“Spilling the beans on how she was recruited by her church’s GO, Mary said the clergyman and his son used threats to compel her to take the job after they knew she had known their secrets, adding that High Priest Nnodu was always referring to the illicit drugs as Ice and Bible, (Street names for Methamphetamine and Cannabis) in their telephone text message chats.”
“The theology student, Udezuka, was introduced to Mary to assist her because she was new in the illicit business. Udezuka said he was paid N2 million for his role and had to do it because he needed the money for his education,” Babafemi revealed.
Babafemi stated that the suspects will be charged before the Court for the alleged offence but that will be after the conclusion of investigations by the agency.