Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have arrested a wanted drug baron, Suleiman Aremu, also known as Barryshine two years after coming under its radar.
The Agency said the suspect who is the Managing Director/CEO of Barryshine Suleiman Nigeria Limited came under the Agency’s watchlist over his alleged role in four foiled attempts to export cocaine to Saudi Arabia and Qatar through the Lagos International Airport, between 2022 and 2024.
According to the NDLEA, Aremu came under its watch list in November 2022 after a female drug trafficker, Ajisegiri Sidika was arrested at the Lagos International Airport in possession of 400 grams of cocaine, which was concealed inside female footwear.
“An investigation later revealed that one Abdullahi Olarenwaju Ramon, who is a brother to Suleiman, hired the arrested drug courier.
“Further facts emerged that the flight tickets and other travel expenses of the suspect were sourced by Alhaji Suleiman Ganiu Aremu,” the agency revealed in a statement on Friday, signed by its spokesperson, Femi Babafemi.
A few days after Sidika was arrested, the agency said another drug mule, Lawal Oyenuga was also arrested on November 24, 2022, with the same quantity of cocaine, 400 grams, concealed in male footwear while going to the same destination, Saudi Arabia.
Oyenuga had confessed that one Wasiu Gbolahan (a.k.a Teacher) who was later arrested and convicted by the court, hired him for Suleiman.
Oyenuga further alleged that Gbolahan linked him up with the baron through one Igbono, who was later unveiled through investigation as Oluwafemi Abidoye (a.k.a Igbono, Murphy, Femi Iwaya, Ade Iwaya, Baba Eje and Ejeoto).
“While investigation of the two cases subsisted and the manhunt for the baron was ongoing, two drug mules were arrested at the MMIA on June 21, 2024, on their way to Doha, Qatar,” the statement read.
The NDLEA disclosed that one of the suspects who was later identified as Aikhomoun Daniel (a.k.a Oladapo Olanrewaju) expelled in observation custody a total of 90 pellets of cocaine, weighing 1.022kg, which he ingested.
The statement read partly: “The second suspect, Ayigoro Waheed Omobolaji excreted 60 wraps of cocaine with a total weight of 662 grams.
“Further investigation later revealed that the two arrested couriers, Aikhomoun Daniel and Ayigoro Waheed Omobolaji were recruited by the same Igbono who works for the baron and featured in 2022 during the arrest of Ajesegiri Kehinde Sidika and Lawal Lateef Oyenuga.
“A financial investigation conducted by the Agency also linked the baron Suleiman to the arrested suspects and two of his associates who recruited traffickers for him: Oluwafemi Akande Abidoye and Olanrewaju Abdullahi Ramon, both currently at large.
”As a result, the Agency blocked the bank accounts linked to members of the cartel after which Suleiman was eventually taken into custody on August 26, 2024, for further investigation
”In his statements, Suleiman claimed he is into property development and hotel management while he lives in Lagos and Paris, France.
“He also stated that he runs another business that deals in clothes with his wife at Balogun market, Lagos Island, adding that his regular visits to Saudi Arabia were to perform lesser hajj.
“He said he holds the traditional title of Akeweje of Yaba (Youth Leader of Yaba Land).
“Already, some properties traced to Suleiman include two houses at 63 and 72 Queens Street, Ebute-Meta and his Barryshine hotel at 95 Freeman Street, Yaba, Lagos.
”Meanwhile, Justice Dipeolu Deinde Isaac of the Federal High Court, Lagos has granted an application by the NDLEA for the extension of the detention of the drug kingpin Suleiman for 30 days and to declare his two associates: Oluwafemi Akande Abidoye and Olanrewaju Abdullahi Ramon, both currently at large, wanted.
”Ruling on the motion ex-parte in suit number: FHC/L/MISC/555/24, Justice Dipeolu said
“an order is hereby made declaring one Oluwafemi Akande Abidoye a.ka ‘Igbono’, ‘Murphy’, ‘Femi Iwaya’, ‘Ade Iwaya’, ‘Baba Eje’, ‘Ejeoto’ wanted who is presently at large for his involvement in multiple drug trafficking activities with Suleiman Aremu Ganiu (a.k.a Barryshine).”
”The judge also ruled that “an order is hereby made declaring one Olarenwaju Ramon Abdulahi wanted who is presently at large for his involvement in the drug trafficking activities with Suleiman Aremu Ganiu (a.k.a Baryshine) with respect to the arrest of Ajisegiri Kehinde Sidika who was arrested at MMIA Ikeja-Lagos during outward clearance of Qatar Airways flight to Saudi Arabia with 400 grams of cocaine concealed in foot wears.”