The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has re-arrested a 50-year-old suspected drug trafficker, Ibrahim Yusuf Lawal, in Edo State, months after his wife filed a fake affidavit claiming he had died to help him dodge trial.
Lawal, who jumped bail after his 2022 arrest, was arraigned again before the Federal High Court in Benin on Tuesday. NDLEA Edo State Commander Mitchell Ofoyeju said the suspect was originally picked up on Feb. 5, 2022, at Ugbegun Junction in Esan Central LGA while allegedly transporting psychotropic substances.
Investigator say Lawal and his wife were living together in Iruvucheba, Okene, Kogi State, when she submitted the fraudulent affidavit to the court claiming he was dead.
He also said the suspect was found in possession of 0.257kg of Lexotan, 1kg of Diazepam, and 5.4kg of Phenobarbital, all concealed in a white Toyota bus with registration number Abuja BWR 401 XC.
Ofoyeju said Ibrahim was subsequently charged with three counts of unlawful transportation of controlled substances, contrary to the NDLEA Act, Cap N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Count one specifically stated that Ibrahim Yusuf Lawal, on or about the 5th day of February 2022, without lawful authority, transported 0.257kg of Lexotan, a psychotropic substance similar to cocaine, heroin, and LSD.
After pleading not guilty to the charges, Lawal was granted bail by the court.
However, he absconded and failed to appear for his trial. In a desperate attempt to evade justice, his wife, one Ibrahim Nana Hawa, swore to an Affidavit of Facts as to the demise of the husband, dated October 2024, claiming that Lawal had died on 3 October 2024, following a protracted illness diagnosed as tuberculosis.
The affidavit, submitted to the court, stated that she was a citizen of Nigeria residing in Iruvucheba, Okene Local Government Area, Kogi State, and that her husband was buried in accordance with their religious rites.
After receiving the information, the NDLEA launched a thorough investigation.
Ofoyeju said, “Our operatives, working on an intelligence report, uncovered the truth that Ibrahim Yusuf Lawal was very much alive. He was recently apprehended in a covert operation and taken into custody.
He had earlier jumped bail, and his wife fraudulently submitted an affidavit claiming he had died while they were living together at Iruvucheba, Okene, Kogi State.”
He said: “Today, Tuesday, 26 May 2026, Lawal was brought before Honourable Justice B. O. Quadir of the Federal High Court, Benin. The court proceedings were brief, as the matter was adjourned to 22 June 2026 for further hearing.’
Ofoyeju said the incident was a clear attempt to pervert the course of justice. The use of a false death affidavit to evade prosecution is a serious offence, and the command will not hesitate to sanction all parties involved, including the wife, for her role in this fraudulent scheme, Commander Mitchell stated.
He added that the case would serve as a warning to all drug traffickers and their collaborators that no amount of deception can hide them from the long arm of the law.
He noted that the NDLEA remained resolute in its commitment to rid Nigeria of illicit drugs and to ensure that offenders face the full weight of the law.