The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a notorious drug baron, Alhaji Suleiman Ganiu Aremu, also known as “Barryshine,” who has been on their watchlist for two years. Suleiman, the Managing Director and CEO of Barryshine Suleiman Nigeria Ltd, was taken into custody following his alleged involvement in four foiled attempts to export cocaine to Saudi Arabia and Qatar via Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos between 2022 and 2024.
The NDLEA’s investigation began on November 13, 2022, when a passenger, Alhaja Ajisegiri Kehinde Sidika, was apprehended on a Qatar Airways flight to Saudi Arabia with 400 grams of cocaine concealed in female footwear. Investigators later discovered that Suleiman’s brother, Abdullahi Olarenwaju Ramon, hired the arrested courier, and the flight tickets and other expenses were paid for by Suleiman.
Shortly thereafter, on November 24, 2022, another mule, Lawal Lateef Oyenuga, was arrested with the same amount of cocaine hidden in male footwear, also headed for Saudi Arabia. During interrogation, Oyenuga confessed that he was hired by Wasiu Sanni Gbolahan, who was arrested and convicted. Oyenuga further alleged that Gbolahan connected him to Suleiman through Oluwafemi Akande Abidoye, alias “Igbono.”
On June 21, 2024, the NDLEA intercepted two more drug couriers at MMIA on their way to Doha, Qatar. One suspect, Aikhomoun Daniel, ingested 90 pellets of cocaine weighing 1.022 kg, while another, Ayigoro Waheed Omobolaji, excreted 60 wraps weighing 662 grams. Further investigation revealed that both couriers were recruited by Igbono, who was linked to Suleiman.
The NDLEA also conducted a financial investigation that linked Suleiman to the arrested couriers and his associates, who are still at large. The agency blocked bank accounts associated with the cartel before Suleiman’s arrest on August 26, 2024.
In his statement, Suleiman claimed he is a property developer and hotel manager with residences in Lagos and Paris. He also mentioned his involvement in a clothing business at Balogun Market, Lagos Island, and stated that his frequent trips to Saudi Arabia were for religious purposes. Suleiman said he holds the traditional title of Akeweje of Yaba (Youth Leader of Yaba Land).
Justice Dipeolu Deinde Isaac of the Federal High Court, Lagos, has granted an application by the NDLEA to extend Suleiman’s detention for 30 days and to declare his two associates, Oluwafemi Akande Abidoye and Olanrewaju Abdullahi Ramon, wanted.
“An order is hereby made declaring one Oluwafemi Akande Abidoye a.k.a. ‘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),” Justice Dipeolu ruled.
He further ordered, “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. Barryshine) with respect to the arrest of Ajisegiri Kehinde Sidika, who was arrested at MMIA Ikeja-Lagos during the outward clearance of a Qatar Airways flight to Saudi Arabia with 400 grams of cocaine concealed in footwear.”
NDLEA Chairman and CEO, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), commended the officers of the MMIA Strategic Command for their dedicated two-year investigation. He stated, “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.”
