NDLEA Denies Harassing Patience Jonathan

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has denied the
allegation from former Nigerian first lady Patience Jonathan that
it is harassing her.

The anti-narcotics agency described the allegation as spurious
and misleading, stressing that it had no case against Mrs.
Jonathan. The agency emphasized, however, that no individual is
above the law.

A statement by Mitchell Ofoyeju, the spokesperson for NDLEA,
expressed surprise that the agency could be mentioned in a petition
by Mrs. Jonathan when she was not being investigated by the
agency.

Mr. Ofoyeju stated that the former first lady, in a petition
presented before the House of Representatives by a lawmaker from
Rivers State, Mr. Gogo Bright-Tamuno, on behalf of her lawyer,
Granville Abibo, purported that the NDLEA and other agencies were
constantly harassing her.

He said that the speaker, Mr. Yakubu Dogara, who presided over
the session, admitted the petition and referred it to the Committee
on Public Petitions for hearing.

“The NDLEA, as a reputable agency of government, does not
harass. Rather, it takes appropriate action against anyone or group
of persons who contravene the NDLEA Act Cap N30 Laws of the
Federation of Nigeria 2001,” the statement said.

“This is done through painstaking investigation, arrest and
prosecution of suspected drug traffickers. All operations are
conducted in compliance with the rule of law and global best
practices.”

The agency reiterated its commitment to ridding the country of
narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, adding that it remained
committed to the fight against drug cultivation, trafficking and
abuse.

Mr. Ofoyeju insisted that the agency would not harass any person
or organization, but those who violate the country’s drug laws, no
matter their status, would not go unpunished.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has denied the
allegation from former Nigerian first lady Patience Jonathan that
it is harassing her.

The anti-narcotics agency described the allegation as spurious
and misleading, stressing that it had no case against Mrs.
Jonathan. The agency emphasized, however, that no individual is
above the law.

A statement by Mitchell Ofoyeju, the spokesperson for NDLEA,
expressed surprise that the agency could be mentioned in a petition
by Mrs. Jonathan when she was not being investigated by the
agency.

Mr. Ofoyeju stated that the former first lady, in a petition
presented before the House of Representatives by a lawmaker from
Rivers State, Mr. Gogo Bright-Tamuno, on behalf of her lawyer,
Granville Abibo, purported that the NDLEA and other agencies were
constantly harassing her.

He said that the speaker, Mr. Yakubu Dogara, who presided over
the session, admitted the petition and referred it to the Committee
on Public Petitions for hearing.

“The NDLEA, as a reputable agency of government, does not
harass. Rather, it takes appropriate action against anyone or group
of persons who contravene the NDLEA Act Cap N30 Laws of the
Federation of Nigeria 2001,” the statement said.

“This is done through painstaking investigation, arrest and
prosecution of suspected drug traffickers. All operations are
conducted in compliance with the rule of law and global best
practices.”

The agency reiterated its commitment to ridding the country of
narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, adding that it remained
committed to the fight against drug cultivation, trafficking and
abuse.

Mr. Ofoyeju insisted that the agency would not harass any person
or organization, but those who violate the country’s drug laws, no
matter their status, would not go unpunished.