The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has re-arrested a suspected drug trafficker, Ibrahim Yusuf Lawal, after allegedly discovering that he faked his death to evade prosecution over drug-related offences.
The Edo State Commander of the NDLEA, Mitchell Ofoyeju, disclosed this on Tuesday, revealing that the suspect was brought before the Federal High Court in Benin, Edo State, on May 26, 2026.
According to the agency, Lawal had earlier absconded after being granted bail by the court, while his wife later submitted an affidavit claiming that he had died from tuberculosis and had been buried according to Islamic rites.
Ofoyeju explained that the 50-year-old suspect was first arrested on February 5, 2022, at Ugbekun Junction in Esan Central Local Government Area of Edo State during an operation targeting drug traffickers.
He stated that operatives recovered 0.257 kilogrammes of Lexotan, one kilogramme of Diazepam and 5.4 kilogrammes of Phenobarbital concealed in a white Toyota bus bearing Abuja registration number BWR 401 XC.
The NDLEA commander said Lawal was subsequently arraigned on a three-count charge bordering on unlawful transportation of controlled substances contrary to provisions of the NDLEA Act.
He noted that although the suspect pleaded not guilty and secured bail, he later disappeared and failed to appear in court for continuation of trial.
The agency further alleged that in October 2024, the suspect’s wife, identified as Ibrahim Nana Hawa, submitted a sworn affidavit before the court, claiming that her husband died on October 3, 2024.
The affidavit reportedly stated that the couple lived in Iruvucheba, Okene Local Government Area of Kogi State and that the suspect had already been buried.
However, Ofoyeju said intelligence-driven investigations later exposed the claim as false.
“Our operatives acted on credible intelligence and uncovered that Ibrahim Yusuf Lawal was alive.
He was eventually tracked and apprehended in a covert operation,” the commander said.
He described the alleged false death declaration as a deliberate attempt to obstruct justice and warned that all individuals connected to the act could face legal consequences.
“The use of a false affidavit to frustrate prosecution is a serious offence.
The command will not hesitate to sanction all parties involved, including the suspect’s wife, for their roles in the fraudulent scheme,” he added.
Lawal was re-arraigned before Justice B.O. Quadir of the Federal High Court in Benin on Tuesday, while the case was adjourned till June 22, 2026, for further hearing.
Ofoyeju also commended NDLEA officers in Edo and Kogi states for their efforts in tracking down the suspect, reaffirming the agency’s resolve to intensify the fight against illicit drug trafficking across the country.