Korede Abdullah 
BENIN, Nigeria – The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency re-arrests a suspected drug trafficker allegedly declared dead by his wife after absconding from trial in Edo State.
The agency says Ibrahim Yusuf Lawal jumps bail after being charged with unlawful transportation of psychotropic substances before the Federal High Court in Benin.
Edo State Commander of the NDLEA, Mitchell Ofoyeju, says the suspect was first arrested on February 5, 2022, at Ugbekun Junction in Esan Central Local Government Area.
According to him, operatives recovered 0.257kg of Lexotan, 1kg of Diazepam and 5.4kg of Phenobarbital concealed inside a Toyota bus.
“One of the counts stated that Ibrahim Yusuf Lawal, on or about February 5, 2022, without lawful authority, transported 0.257kg of Lexotan,” Ofoyeju says.
The NDLEA explains that after Lawal stops appearing in court, his wife, Ibrahim Nana Hawa, allegedly submits an affidavit claiming he dies from tuberculosis and is buried in Okene, Kogi State.
However, intelligence investigations later reveal the suspect is alive.
“Our operatives, acting on intelligence, uncovered the truth that Ibrahim Yusuf Lawal was very much alive,” Ofoyeju says.
The suspect is re-arrested in a covert operation and arraigned before Justice B.O. Quadir, with the case adjourned until June 22, 2026.
The NDLEA describes the alleged fake death affidavit as a deliberate attempt to obstruct justice and warns that anyone involved in the scheme could face prosecution.
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