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NDLEA Arrest Wanted Drug Baron “Barryshine” Behind Four Cocaine Shipments To Saudi Arabia, Qatar After 2-Year Manhunt

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Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have apprehended alleged drug baron, Alhaji Suleiman Ganiu Aremu (also known as Barryshine), after a two-year surveillance.

Aremu, Managing Director/CEO of Barryshine Suleiman Nigeria Ltd, was placed under NDLEA’s watchlist for his alleged involvement in four failed attempts to export cocaine to Saudi Arabia and Qatar through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Ikeja, Lagos, between 2022 and 2024.

The Agency’s investigation began on November 13, 2022, when Alhaja Ajisegiri Kehinde Sidika, a female passenger on a Qatar Airlines flight to Saudi Arabia, was arrested at MMIA with 400 grams of cocaine concealed in female footwear.

Investigations revealed that Abdullahi Olarenwaju Ramon, Suleiman’s brother, hired the drug courier, and Alhaji Suleiman Ganiu Aremu sourced the flight tickets and travel expenses.

A few days after the arrest of Ajisegiri Kehinde Sidika, another drug mule, Lawal Lateef Oyenuga was also arrested on November 24, 2022, with the same quantity of cocaine, 400 grams, concealed in male footwears while going to the same destination, Saudi Arabia.

The suspect, Lawal Lateef Oyenuga confessed that one Wasiu Sanni Gbolahan (a.k.a Teacher) who was later arrested and convicted by the court, hired him for Suleiman. Lawal further alleged that Wasiu Gbolahan linked him up with the baron through one Igbono, who was later unveiled through investigation as Oluwafemi Akande 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. 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, while 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.

Financial investigation conducted by the Agency also linked the baron Suleiman to the arrested suspects and two of his associates who recruit 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 cloths with his wife at Balogun market, Lagos Island, adding that his regular visits to Saudi Arabia was 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.”

Reacting to the development, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) commended the officers and men of the MMIA Strategic Command for the painstaking two years investigation that culminated in the conviction of three traffickers and the eventual arrest of the kingpin behind the cartel.

He said this demonstrates that the long arm of the law will always get whoever is involved in the criminal trade no matter how long it takes.

BIG STORY

Wema Bank Set To Launch Season 4 Of Its 5 For 5 Promo Reward Initiative From October 1st, 2024

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Wema Bank, Nigeria’s foremost innovative bank and pioneer of Africa’s first fully digital bank, ALAT, is set to launch the 4th season of its transformative reward initiative, the Wema Bank 5 for 5 Promo. The highly anticipated Season is scheduled to kick off on Tuesday, October 1, 2024.

Introduced in 2021 the Wema Bank 5 for 5 Promo is a reward initiative pioneered by the Bank with the goal of rewarding its diverse range of customers for active loyalty to the brand, its products, and offerings. The Promo is executed seasonally via thoroughly regulated live draws where winners are selected from the Bank’s pool of active and transacting customers, based on the stipulated minimum requirements and modalities of the season. With benchmarks for qualification set as low as N5,000 in monthly transactions, the Wema Bank 5 for 5 Promo has evolved through each season, solidifying its repute as a source of hope, financial support, business growth and goal acceleration for thousands of Nigerians nationwide.

Over the course of 3 seasons, the 5 for 5 Promo has disbursed over N150,000,000 to 2,378 Nigerians across the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria, with 639 customers winning N31,500,000 in season 1, 539 winning N31,850,000 in season 2 and 1,200 winning N90,000,000 in the 3rd season of the 5 for 5 Promo which spanned August 2023 to July 2024. As a new season of the Wema Bank 5 for 5 Promo approaches, tensions are heightening as Nigerians await a new season of financial rewards and pleasant surprises from Wema Bank. Customers of the Bank are encouraged to request a debit card or get onboarded on the ALAT app and *945# and start transacting via any of these channels in anticipation of the season’s kick-off. Other Nigerians interested in participating are encouraged to open Wema Bank/ALAT account(s) to get started.

Reiterating the Bank’s commitment to providing a rewarding banking experience for its customers, Moruf Oseni, MD/CEO of Wema Bank, elaborated on the significance of the Wema Bank 5 for 5 Promo for its customers. “At Wema Bank, we have made it a duty and core value to provide optimum returns for our customers, and this commitment is evident in all that we do as a Bank. ‘Optimum returns’ for Wema Bank is limitless which is why we continue to raise the bar and set new standards, innovating new and improved ways to provide a highly rewarding banking experience for our customers. It is this sense of duty to our customers that inspired the launch of the Wema Bank 5 for 5 Promo”.

“The past seasons of the Wema Bank 5 for 5 Promo have been highly successful, but I can assure you that the coming season will be the biggest in 5 for 5 Promo history to date. We are, yet again, raising the bar, and with more to win this season, every Wema Bank customer is in for a treat. It’s beyond the rewards customers are getting. With the 5 for 5 Promo, we are telling customers that we’re grateful, showing them that we care, and empowering lives and businesses to thrive. Through this initiative, we have made undergraduate millionaires, established businesses across Nigeria, boosted existing ventures despite economic fluctuations, given hope to Nigerians of various ages and walks of life; and this season, we are more than prepared to exceed all milestones, break new ground and transform more lives for the best. The Wema Bank 5 for 5 Promo Season 4 kicks off on October 1 and we have a special Independence Day live draw to kickstart the season, so I welcome every Nigerian to Wema Bank and encourage all to get on ALAT, request a Wema/ALAT card or onboard on *945# and get ready for an intriguing new 5 for 5 Promo Season, bigger than ever before”, Oseni concluded.

The Wema Bank 5 for 5 Promo season 4 promises to be a game changer and every Nigerian can participate and secure big wins throughout the season by being a Wema Bank customer and getting onboarded on the valid transaction channels which include the ALAT app, the Wema/ALAT card and the Bank’s USSD Banking platform, *945#.

All transactions made using the qualifying Wema Bank and ALAT transaction channels from October 1, 2024, are potentially qualifying transactions and could secure rewards ranking in millions for Nigerians across Nigeria.

T&Cs Apply.

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BIG STORY

African Philanthropist & Business Leader, Tony Elumelu Sets Out Africa’s Priorities For UNGA 2024

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  • Transformative Economic Growth, Youth Employment, Energy Transition Critical for the Continent

 

African philanthropist and business leader, Tony Elumelu, will make Africa’s transformative economic growth, youth employment, and energy transition central to the discussions at this year’s United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), taking place late September in New York.

Elumelu will call for urgent action in a series of engagements, including a roundtable discussion at the Clinton Global Initiative with former President of the United States, Bill Clinton, and at an event co-hosted by the World Food Programme (WFP) and the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), led by WFP Executive Director, Cindy McCain.

Elumelu will bring his perspective both from extensive experience in building industry-leading businesses across the continent, and the success of the Tony Elumelu Foundation’s catalytic programmes empowering young Africans. Elumelu is a realist, challenging Africa and Africans to solve their problems, bringing African solutions, but also recognizing Africa’s responsibility to act.

As Chairman of United Bank for Africa (UBA) Group and pan-African investment company, Heirs Holdings, as well as Founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, Elumelu is a leading driver of Africa’s transformation agenda, helping shape the continent’s narrative on the global stage. His thought leadership and advocacy challenge conventional views, offering innovative strategies for collaboration and growth. The success of his Foundation in promoting youth entrepreneurship as a pathway out of poverty, has featured in case studies from Harvard, Chicago Business School, Stanford and Cambridge.

With over 60% of Africans lacking access to electricity and young people making up more than 60% of the continent’s 1.3 billion population, Africa faces challenges that impact the world. Africa, most recently with tragic floods in West Africa, is suffering climate driven environmental crises, caused by global emissions, whilst Africa’s development is held back by huge infrastructure deficits.

In a recent statement, Elumelu emphasised, “I have often said that there is nowhere else in the world you can reap the kind of investments as in Africa. However, I am acutely aware of the fundamental challenges our continent faces. Addressing the issues of sustainable economic growth, youth unemployment, genda inequality, and Africa’s energy transition is critical not only for meeting the continent’s basic developmental needs, but also for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and unlocking the immense economic potential that Africa offers.”

An economist and visionary entrepreneur, Elumelu’s economic philosophy of Africapitalism, serves as a blueprint for accelerating Africa’s economic transformation, advocating for the private sector to take the lead in delivering social and economic wealth, and shared prosperity for all.

Alongside Elumelu’s advocacy, the United Bank for Africa, which he chairs, will host a networking gala on the sidelines of UNGA – a platform to spotlight investment opportunities on the continent. The Gala will convene prominent leaders across four continents, in commemoration of UBA Group’s 75th anniversary and the Group’s 40 years of operations in the United States.

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BIG STORY

Obi Made A Difference In My Campaign, His Endorsement Worth Its Weight In Gold — Akpata

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Olumide Akpata, the Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate in Edo, says Peter Obi’s endorsement of his candidacy is “worth its weight in gold”.

Akpata spoke in an interview on Arise Television on Thursday.

The Edo governorship election is billed for September 21.

On Wednesday, Obi implored the Edo electorate to vote Akpata as their next governor.

He added that if elected, the former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) would deliver the needed change.

The LP governorship candidate said Obi has made a difference in his campaign.

“Peter Obi is making a whole lot of difference because he is one individual that people trust. People trust him because his word is his bond,” he said.

“People trust Peter Obi because he’s a performer and so his endorsement of my candidacy is worth its weight in gold and so I make no bones about it.

“I will not hesitate to take advantage of the fact that he supports me and those of you who know Obi, he will only associate with a candidate he has confidence in, every confidence in his or her abilities.

“So I’m fortunate, I’m privileged that he’s willing to stand shoulder to shoulder with me on the podium, on various podiums across the state.

“We have been to all three senatorial zones together. He has been very, very magnanimous with his time and with his energy and he has brought that to bear on the campaign process.

“The people are definitely, definitely encouraged by his presence. It gives them reason to believe again. It gives them hope again.”

Akpata asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a credible poll.

“Now with regard to the umpire, the regulator INEC, I am hopeful because there are certain peculiar factors that lend themselves to this process that will hopefully bring about a positive outcome,” he said.

“Firstly, it’s an off-cycle election. So in that regard, we are fortunate and privileged to have the undivided attention of INEC in this state so they can bring together their entire machinery on the process.

“But having said that, I am so concerned because I bother about capacity issues. Right now we’ve heard rumors of that some of the actors are already fighting it out at the INEC centre somewhere in Benin City.

“I’m yet to confirm that. I just read a newsflash that some hoodlums have carted away sensitive materials. Again, yet to confirm that.

“But I am concerned about capacity. I am concerned about the fact that the terrain… I have been around Edo state about five times in this process.

“The roads are in a very deplorable stage, I just wonder to myself, how can INEC manage to get around in these conditions? I just returned from the riverine areas of Edo state.

“I wonder to myself, is the regulator able to access this? Will people not be disenfranchised? You just need to see the conditions of our roads.

“I just returned to Benin from Irrua. It is so difficult to get around. So I am very worried about the logistics of this process.

“So, as you can imagine, we will continue to engage with the operators. We will continue to interrogate the system.”

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