The accused drug king Sulaimon Jimoh, also known as “Olowo Idi Ogede” or “Temo,” has been placed under prolonged remand by the Federal High Court in Lagos for a further 14 days in the care of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.
Temo’s remand was prolonged by Justice Akintayo Aluko, who also granted an ex parte request that the NDLEA had submitted.
Following Lambert Nor, the NDLEA prosecution attorney, arguing the ex parte application for an extension to remand the defendant, the order was made on Friday.
Aluko heard the arguments and looked over the court procedures that were submitted to the court before extending the remand order.
Nor told the court, “We seek this extension under the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, and the Federal High Court Civil Procedure Rules.
“The extension is crucial as we continue to unravel the suspect’s extensive drug network.”
He further explained that the NDLEA was waiting on responses from various agencies and institutions connected to the case.
“Preliminary investigations have revealed a broader and more sensitive network of drug activities, both nationally and internationally, which require further examination,” Nor stated.
The attorney for the NDLEA underlined that Temo must remain in jail in order to protect his rights and any court orders.
“We need this additional time to ensure that we have a complete picture of the drug trafficking organisation that the suspect allegedly operates, so the court can be fully informed,” he added.
A 13-paragraph affidavit, deposed by the agency’s litigation officer Kayode Abu Ojo, was presented by the NDLEA in support of the request.
The affidavit made clear that the nationwide protests and the suspect’s attorney’s unavailability disrupted the first 14-day remand, which the court imposed on July 26, 2024, and delayed the inquiry.
“That in the course of the same time, counsel for the suspect was not available for some time to enable the suspect to complete his statement. And that, by the time the counsel for the suspect came, quite a substantial time of the 14 days granted by the court had been lost.
“The ongoing investigation has uncovered a more complex and sensitive network of drug activities, with inquiries sent to sister agencies and other relevant bodies still pending. This makes it necessary to seek additional time,” the affidavit stated.
Following a review of the arguments, Justice Aluko granted the NDLEA’s request.
The judge concluded that the application was justified and that the requested order was granted.
In order for the NDLEA to produce its investigative report, the court postponed the case until August 23, 2024.
Temo, a drug lord who had been on the run for more than ten years, was first placed under remand on July 26, 2024, and his case was postponed until August 9, 2024, while the investigation was still ongoing.
But the matter was further postponed for a further 14 days when it was brought up on Friday.
