NDLEA Re-arrests Drug Suspect Who Faked Death to Evade Trial

The Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has re-arrested a suspected drug trafficker who jumped bail and was falsely declared dead by his wife in a bid to escape prosecution.

Ibrahim Yusuf Lawal, 50, was first arrested on 5 February 2022 at Ugbekun Junction in Esan Central Local Government Area while transporting psychotropic substances including 0.257kg of Lexotan, 1kg of Diazepam and 5.4kg of Phenobarbital, concealed in a Toyota bus. He was subsequently charged with unlawful transportation of controlled substances and granted bail, but later absconded.

In an attempt to derail the case, his wife, Ibrahim Nana Hawa, submitted an affidavit to the court claiming her husband had died of tuberculosis on 3 October 2024 and had been buried in Okene, Kogi State.

Edo NDLEA Commander Mitchell Ofoyeju said on Tuesday that operatives launched an investigation after receiving the death claim and discovered Lawal was still alive. He was tracked down and taken into custody in a covert operation.

“He had earlier jumped bail, and his wife fraudulently submitted an affidavit claiming he had died while they were living together in Iruvucheba, Okene, Kogi State,” Ofoyeju stated.

Lawal was brought before Justice B.O. Quadir of the Federal High Court in Benin on Tuesday. The case was adjourned to 22 June 2026 for further hearing.

Ofoyeju described the incident as a deliberate attempt to pervert the course of justice, warning that the command would prosecute all persons involved, including the suspect’s wife. He urged the public to continue providing credible information to support the agency’s fight against illicit drug trafficking and commended officers in Edo and Kogi states for their persistence.