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NDLEA Re-Arrest Drug Suspect Who Is On Bail For Ingesting 184 Wraps Of Cocaine

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Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have confirmed the arrest of a man and a woman who posed to be a husband and wife with drugs.

The suspects, known as Onyebuchi Ilonzeh and Nonyelum Ilonzeh, were arrested while allegedly on their way to India for medical treatment after consuming 184 wraps of cocaine weighing 3.322Kg, with 100grams of the drug also hidden in the woman’s private region.

The two suspects were apprehended on Tuesday, August 1, 2023, at Screening Point 1, Terminal 1 of the international wing of Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, while attempting to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight to India.

The NDLEA’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, revealed this in a statement made accessible to press on Sunday.

“Though their travel documents show consistency in their names and depict them as a couple, an NDLEA officer however decided to subject them to a body scan. The scan confirmed they both ingested drugs as a result of which they were later placed on excretion observation at the agency’s facility.

“While their travel documents identify the man as Onyebuchi Ilonzeh and the lady to be Nonyelum Ilonzeh, preliminary investigation revealed that the intending passengers were not a couple but obtained the travel documents in the same surname to beat security checks at the airport. The lady later gave her real name as Nkechi Ngogbike.”

The spokesperson for the NDLEA noted that Ilonzeh was later discovered to be a drug suspect currently on bail.

Babafemi added, “A further search of the agency’s crime database revealed that he also obtained his travel documents with a fake identity for the trip. Indeed, it was established that he was arrested by the NDLEA operatives at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja on March 19, 2022, for ingesting 100 wraps of cocaine weighing 2.243kgs upon his arrival from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on board an Ethiopian airline flight.

“His travel documents then contained his real name Ikenna Uwaezuoke. After his arrest at the Abuja airport on March 19, 2022, along with another suspect, Iro Uche who also ingested 65 wraps of cocaine with a gross weight of 1.376kgs, Uwaezuoke was subsequently arraigned before Justice Zainab Abubakar of the Federal High Court Abuja with charge number: FHC/ABJ/CR/438/2022.

“He was eventually granted bail by the court pending the conclusion of his trial. He is still on the court bail when he was arrested at the Lagos airport for a similar offense on Tuesday, August 1.”

While Ikenna Uwaezuoke aka Onyebuchi Ilonzeh excreted a total of 82 wraps of cocaine with a gross weight of 1.822Kg in five excretions, Ngogbike Nkechi aka Nonyelum Ilonzeh excreted 101 wraps in four excretions with a big size wrap of the substance recovered from her private part, all weighing 1.50kgs.

Babafemi further noted that during her interview, Ngogbike confessed that she was recruited in her church in Aba, Abia State where she lives.

Meanwhile, the NDLEA operatives of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation, attached to courier companies in Lagos have intercepted various quantities of dextromethorphan mixed with heroin; methamphetamine; dimethyl sulfone, and cannabis concealed in different objects going to Europe.

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Deji Ogunsakin Launches The Better Life Foundation, Donates Food And Cash Gifts To Widows In Ado-Ekiti

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In a commendable act of generosity, Deji Ogunsakin has officially launched The Better Life Foundation, designed to support and uplift the lives of the vulnerable in society.

During the inaugural event, Hon. Ogunsakin donated essential food items and cash gifts to widows in Ado-Ekiti, reaffirming his commitment to making a positive impact in the lives of those in need.

This initiative focuses on promoting welfare and enhancing the quality of life for marginalized groups, with a vision of fostering “hope and resilience in the society.”

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Tax Reforms Here To Stay, But I Don’t Mind Making Concessions — President Tinubu

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President Bola Tinubu states that the tax reforms initiated by his administration are here to stay.

Speaking at the presidential media chat on Monday, Tinubu explained that the tax reforms were implemented to “eliminate colonial-based assumptions” in the country’s tax environment.

The president emphasized that the country cannot continue to rely on outdated methods in today’s economy.

Tinubu noted that those advocating for more consultations on the tax reform bills will continue to do so even if he postpones presenting the proposed legislation.

“Tax reform is here to stay. In today’s economy, we cannot continue to do what we were doing in the past,” he said.

“The essence of tax reform is to eliminate colonial-based assumptions in our tax environment.”

“Every tax situation without outcry is not a tax. You can’t satisfy uniformly the largest community of tax evaders. Look at this tax reform; it is pro-poor. The vulnerable are not to pay taxes.”

“The hallmark of a good leader is the ability to do what you have to do at the time it ought to be done. That is my philosophy.”

When asked if he was willing to make concessions on the proposed value-added tax (VAT) sharing model, the president replied that he is open to making adjustments.

“Tax matters are subjects of debates, reviews, and negotiations until you reach a consensus. I don’t mind cutting edges. I will,” the president said.

On October 3, Tinubu requested that the national assembly consider and pass the bills.

The legislation includes the Nigeria tax bill, Nigeria tax administration bill, Nigeria Revenue Service establishment bill, and the Joint Revenue Board establishment bill.

One of the bills proposing a new VAT-sharing formula for the federation has faced strong opposition, particularly from northern stakeholders.

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Tinubu To Hold First Presidential Media Chat Tonight

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President Bola Tinubu’s inaugural media chat is set to be broadcast on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN).

In a statement, Bayo Onanuga, the presidential spokesperson, confirmed that the media chat will be aired at 9 p.m. today.

“The first Presidential Media Chat with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will be broadcast at 9 p.m. on Monday, December 23, on the Nigerian Television Authority and Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria,” the statement reads.

All television and radio stations are encouraged to tune in to the broadcast.

This marks Tinubu’s first media chat since he assumed office on May 29, 2023.

During the chat, Tinubu will respond to questions from a panel of journalists on national matters, including his economic policies, security, and other key issues.

The tradition of presidential media chats began during the tenure of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

The practice was continued by the administrations of Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan.

However, under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, the frequency of the presidential media chats declined.

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