Drug Trafficking Allegation: Senate sets up Ad-hoc Committee to investigate NDLEA

The Nigerian Senate has set up an Ad-hoc Committee to investigate the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA over allegation of drug trafficking against Senator Oyelola Yisa Ashiru representing Kwara South Senatorial District.

The investigative Committee followed Order 42 of Senate Rules which bothers on personal explanation by Senator Ashiru, alleging that the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA him of involving in drug and other illicit substances which led to the arrest of some of his aides.

Ashiru said, the allegation against him by NDLEA was baseless and unfounded, stressing that the agency was angry because he contributed to a proposed bill on drug related agency on Tuesday 15th October, 2024.

He urged the Senate to take action on the matter, saying that the allegation was an infringement on his person, his privilege as a sitting Senator and the integrity of the entire Senate has been brought into the opprobrium.
He explained: “Mr Senate President, I come under Order 42 – personal explanation. My personal explanation is NDLEA’s malicious reaction to my debate on a bill seeking to establish an institute on drug awareness and rehabilitations.

“I expressed my concern on this bill for so many reasons. For the reason that there are a lot of information from my constituency on the negative effect of drug consumption and trafficking to the extent that one of my constituents has ascertain that in the last two years, he can count up to 50 people who have lost their sanity due to consumption of drug.

“Equally, they are visible example of drug barons who are making money through distribution of drugs in my constituency and other constituencies too.

“We have observed that there are increase in drug related crime. Because of these and many other reasons, I strongly contributed on the floor of the Senate that the Senate should look into the operation of NDLEA and advise that issue of corruption among operatives should be looked into to the extent that after debate, I supported the establishment of another agency that will take care of rehabilitation.

“Mr President, I come under Order 42 to clear insinuation published especially by Daily Trust that I Senator Ashiru is involved in distribution of drug. In my life, I am 68 years now, I assert that I cannot even identify cannabis or any drug. Beyond taking water, I don’t drug, I don’t caffeine, I don’t even take carbonated drinks.
“Your excellency, my reaction and my finding is simple. The basis of this debased publication could only be traced to my contribution on the floor of the Senate.”

Reacting, Senate President, Godswill Obot Akpabio said though the Order 42 which Senator Ashiru came under do not engender debate, he declared that the NDLEA was reacting because of the bill relating to the agency that was proposed and debated.

He said“I feel that whatever the NDLEA is doing must have been based on your submission here.

“If the NDLEA felt that you were a drug baron, they should have arrested you before you got to 30 years, they should have arrested you before you got to 50, they should have before you were 60, before you were 65 and not at the age of 68 because you contributed to a debate.

“I think Nigerians are not aware of the Constitution and the laws. Anything you say here is privilege and it is covered with immunity and is not subject to debate on the Radio or Television. I don’t want to jump into conclusion. You have never been invited by NDLEA ; have never been charged by NDLEA and the NDLEA has never said anything about you.

“Distinguished Colleagues, an injury to one is an injury to all and we are going to constitute an Ad-hoc Committee to invite the NDLEA with a view to take a drastic action.”

Meanwhile, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe was named as Chairman of Ad-hoc Committee with Senator Kaka Shehu representing Borno Central Senatorial District as Co-Chairman.