[By Abigail Philip David]
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has dismissed recent allegations of corruption made by Senator Oyelola Yisa Ashiru, who represents Kwara South Senatorial District, stating that the claims were motivated by personal vendetta rather than national interest.
In a statement issued at a press briefing at its Abuja headquarters on Monday, NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi said the agency was compelled to set the record straight after the senator failed to clarify his allegations one week after accusing the NDLEA of being “corrupt and compromised.”
The NDLEA described the senator’s remarks, made during a plenary session on October 15, 2024, as defamatory and baseless. Babafemi emphasized that while the agency respects the Senate’s role in advancing national interests, it had to respond to the senator’s unfounded attack, which occurred during the debate on a bill to establish the National Institute for Drug Awareness and Rehabilitation.
“While we cannot challenge the Senate’s right to propose new agencies, we were shocked by the senator’s sweeping and unfounded statement,” Babafemi said.
The NDLEA investigated the motivation behind Senator Ashiru’s claims and linked the allegations to previous encounters between the agency and the senator. Babafemi disclosed that the senator’s residence in Ilorin, Kwara State, had been raided earlier in 2024 after credible intelligence indicated that the property was being used for drug-related activities. During the raid, two of the senator’s aides were arrested, and drugs were recovered.
Additionally, in a separate incident in Offa, Kwara State, one of the senator’s associates was arrested for dealing in illicit drugs, including methamphetamine and cannabis. Efforts to pressure the NDLEA to drop charges against the suspect were unsuccessful, and the individual was later convicted in June 2024 after initially jumping bail.
Babafemi asserted that these incidents likely led to the senator’s accusations against the agency. “It is clear that these encounters are the root of the senator’s outburst and false allegations, which no one in or outside of government has ever made against the NDLEA,” he said.
Despite the senator’s claims, the NDLEA reiterated that it continues to receive recognition for its efforts in combating drug abuse and trafficking from both local and international bodies. The agency urged the public to disregard the senator’s comments and called on individuals to verify information before making such serious accusations.
