The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has confirmed the arrest of a suspended operative of the Ondo State Security Network Agency, Julius Ekujumi, over his alleged connection to illicit substances weighing about 90 kilogrammes recovered from his shop in December 2025.
In a statement issued, the agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, said Ekujumi was apprehended on Wednesday in Akure as part of a follow-up operation to an earlier raid.
Babafemi disclosed that on December 10, 2025, NDLEA operatives stormed Ekujumi’s residence in Akure, where they allegedly recovered a liquid mixture containing various banned substances, including cannabis sativa, popularly called “monkey tail.”
The mixture, stored in two paint buckets and a 25-litre jerry can, weighed 84 kilogrammes.
He added that another four kilogrammes of cannabis sativa were found in a bag during the operation, which was carried out in the presence of Ekujumi’s wife, Modupe, while he was said to be away.
According to the agency, Modupe admitted ownership of the seized items and allegedly revealed that her husband had encouraged her to engage in the “monkey tail” trade.
The NDLEA stated that she had since been arraigned, adding that the charge would be amended to include Ekujumi following his arrest.
Ekujumi had earlier been suspended alongside Abu Taiwo and Akinsipe Victor by the Ondo Amotekun corps after they demanded improved welfare and formal appointment letters for operatives.
The trio were subsequently declared wanted by the corps over alleged misconduct and violation of its regulations.
Efforts to obtain the reaction of the State Commander of Amotekun, Adetunji Adeleye, were unsuccessful as calls and text messages sent to his mobile phone were not responded to as of the time of filing this report.
Meanwhile, the suspended operatives had approached the Ondo State High Court in Akure, seeking the enforcement of their fundamental rights.
The matter, it was gathered, has been adjourned multiple times.
Counsel to the trio, Tope Temokun, confirmed that Ekujumi was arrested at about 5pm on Wednesday at his shop in Akure by NDLEA operatives.
Temokun stated that his client was among the officers who led agitation within the corps for the issuance of official appointment letters.
He described Ekujumi as the most outspoken among them, alleging that his activism brought him into conflict with the corps’ leadership.
The lawyer further claimed that on December 10, 2025, at about 2am, a joint team of Amotekun and NDLEA personnel invaded his client’s residence and took away his wife, who he alleged had remained in custody without lawful basis.
He argued that any allegation against his client should be addressed through proper legal channels, insisting that arrest and prolonged detention could not replace due process.
Temokun called for the immediate release of Modupe or her prompt arraignment if there were valid charges against her.
He also urged authorities to charge Ekujumi to court without delay if any offence was established, vowing that his legal team would take necessary steps to safeguard their clients’ constitutional rights.
