Metro
Don’t Destroy My Indian Hemp Farm, Kill Me Instead – Suspect Tells NDLEA
A suspected Indian hemp farmer, Clement Akor, has begged the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency to take his life instead of destroying his 10-hectare cannabis plantation.
Akor, a 42-year-old father of six from Enabo village in the Ankpa Local Government Area of Kogi State, and his accomplice, David Ameh, were arrested by the Kogi State Command of the NDLEA.
Akor, who claimed to have invested so much in the business and could not afford to lose everything, said he learnt dealing in Indian hemp from Owo, Ondo State.
The suspect, who cried profusely and attempted to stop the men of the NDLEA, led by the commander, Alfred Adewumi, from destroying his farm in Oketepe, Okula community, about 10 kilometres from Ejule, said he preferred to die than watch the officers destroy what he worked hard for in the last one year.
He noted that he was aware of the ban on the sale of Indian hemp, but insisted that it was a risky business.
Akor stated, “I am the owner of this farm. I learnt it in Yorubaland. When I cultivated the produce last year, it was stolen. So, this year, I bought the seed from Yorubaland and planted it before I was caught.
“The Indian hemp business is by luck. In this farm, I can get many bags. I do sell one bag for N20,000, depending on the area where I am selling it to. It can be me more. I spent N12,000 on cultivating this farm. It is better for you people to kill me than destroy this farm.”
“This is my business. I spent a lot to allow this plant to grow up to this level. In the next two weeks, I am supposed to harvest it. Now, you people have come here to destroy it. Just kill me so that I won’t see you people destroying what I have laboured for. I am looking for money because I am illiterate. I don’t want to engage in armed robbery or kidnapping, that is why I am into this business of Indian hemp cultivation and sale.”
Adewumi, however, calmed him down but insisted that the war against illicit drug use was on course in the state.
Addressing journalists shortly after the destruction of the farm, Adewumi lamented the increasing wave of cultivation illicit and use of cannabis sativa in the state.
He stated that the two suspects were arrested through intelligent gathering by officers of his command.
The commander noted that the latest breakthrough came three days after the command arrested Endurance Samson and Abah Sunday for alleged possession of 36.2 kilograms of Indian hemp.
Adewumi stated, “What you are seeing today is certainly more than three football fields put together. Just look around that is a huge expanse of cultivated cannabis land. We just left the first farm, which is equally a huge cannabis plantation.
“This is very unfortunate. I am worried about this unfortunate development. I have thought that Kogi State will not descend to this point. As things stand today, it will be self denial to begin to say that Kogi State is not planting cannabis sativa, because the evidence itself suggests the fact that there is high rate of cannabis sativa cultivation in the state.”
He added that the suspects would be charged as soon as investigation was concluded into the case.
The Punch
The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Thursday upheld the judgment that stopped the Directorate of Road Traffic Services and Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) from seizing vehicles or imposing fines on motorists.
In a unanimous decision by a three-member panel, the appellate court found no basis to set aside the Federal High Court’s ruling of October 16, 2024, which restrained the VIO from harassing motorists.
The appeal filed by the VIO was dismissed for lacking merit. Justice Oyejoju Oyewumi delivered in the lead judgment.
The high court had earlier ruled, in a judgment by Justice Nkeonye Maha, that no law authorizes the VIO to stop motorists, impound vehicles, or impose penalties for alleged traffic offences.
The case arose from a fundamental rights suit (FHC/ABJ/CS/1695/2023) filed by lawyer Abubakar Marshal.
Marshal informed the court that VIO officials stopped him at Jabi in Abuja on December 12, 2023, and seized his vehicle without lawful reason. He asked the court to determine whether their actions violated his rights.
Justice Maha agreed and ordered the VIO and its agents not to impound vehicles or impose fines on motorists, describing the actions as unlawful. She held that only a court can impose fines or sanctions.
She ruled that the VIO’s conduct breached the applicant’s constitutional right to property under Section 42 of the 1999 Constitution and Article 14 of the African Charter. She further held that the VIO has no legal authority to seize vehicles or penalize motorists, as doing so infringes on rights to fair hearing, movement and presumption of innocence.
Although Marshal, represented by Femi Falana, SAN, requested ₦500 million in damages and a public apology, the court awarded ₦2.5 million.
The Directorate of Road Traffic Services, its Director, its Abuja Area Commander at the time (identified as Mr. Leo), team leader Solomon Onoja, and the FCT Minister were listed as respondents.
They appealed the decision, but the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal.
Plans have been concluded for the 19th edition of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF)’s Annual Town Hall Meeting on Security with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, National Association of Online Security News Publishers, NAOSNP, can report.
At the event, the Lagos’ Chief Security Officer, will champion the task of driving immense financial, material, and moral support for the Public-Private partnership agency which has been at the forefront of safety and security since its establishment in 2007. It will also be the first Town Hall meeting to be spearheaded by the agency’s new Executive Secretary/CEO, Dr Ayo Ogunsan.
Over the years, the Town Hall Meeting has become a platform for reviewing security interventions and strengthening partnerships in Nigeria’s commercial nerve centre and West Africa’s economic hub, Lagos. The theme of this year’s Town Hall meeting is “Building Trust, Enhancing Security: A New Era of Security and Partnerships.” It will bring together top government officials, security agencies, private-sector partners and other stakeholders committed to improving safety across the state. It will be held on Thursday 11th December, 2025, by 11am at Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos.
This year’s edition will focus on deepening public trust and advancing collaborative approaches to tackling emerging security challenges. LSSTF expressed optimism that the outcome of the meeting would further strengthen the state’s security framework and support ongoing efforts to enhance public safety.
Participation at this year’s event will be strictly by invitation due to the high-level nature of the deliberations and the need to accommodate core stakeholders.
However, the public would not be left out, as the entire session would be streamed live on its official social media platforms for wider access and transparency. Thus, members of the public can join the broadcast through the Lagos State Security Trust Fund and Lagos State Government pages on Facebook and Instagram.
You can join the event Live on:-
FACEBOOK: Lagos State Security Trust Fund/followlasg
INSTAGRAM: followlsstf/lagosstategovt
The Departmental Selection Board (DSB) promotion exercise for Police Inspectors has officially commenced at the Zone 2 Command Headquarters, Onikan Lagos, according to a statement by the Zonal PRO, CSP Ayuba Tunni Umma, and made available to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP).
The statement highlighted that the exercise is in line with the commitment of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, to the welfare and career progression of personnel.
Designed to assess qualified Inspectors due for promotion to the next rank, and scheduled to run until Friday, December 5, 2025, the nationwide exercise is mandated across all Police Zonal formations.
“The exercise is being held at the Zonal Headquarters, and encompasses all eligible Inspectors serving under the Lagos and Ogun State Police Commands. It is being presided over by the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Zone, AIG Adegoke M. Fayoade, psc, mni, fisn,” the statement noted.
While addressing officers at the commencement of the exercise, the Assistant Inspector General in charge of the Zone, AIG Adegoke Fayoade, congratulated them on their eligibility, and urged them to exhibit the highest standards of professionalism throughout the process. He reiterated the commitment of the Police leadership to a fair, merit-based, and transparent promotion system.
The AIG therefore, warned all participants against any form of misconduct, corruption or bribery, emphasizing that integrity is paramount. Assisting the AIG during the process are: Deputy Commissioners of Police in charge of Finance & Administration *DCP Bello Adamu and DCP Olubode Fakeye in charge of Zonal Criminal Investigation Department.
Personnel welfare remains a core priority for the Nigeria Police Force, and this exercise underscores the Force’s dedication to rewarding hard work, competence, and dedication among its ranks, fostering a motivated and professional workforce.
