The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested Alhaji Suleiman Ganiu Aremu, a notorious drug trafficker known as “Barryshine,” two years after he initially came under investigation by the agency.
Suleiman, the Managing Director and CEO of Barryshine Suleiman Nigeria Ltd, had been on the agency’s radar due to his alleged involvement in four thwarted attempts to smuggle cocaine to Saudi Arabia and Qatar via the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos between 2022 and 2024.
According to a detailed statement by NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, Suleiman first appeared on the agency’s watchlist on November 13, 2022.
This followed the arrest of Alhaja Ajisegiri Kehinde Sidika, a female passenger on a Qatar Airways flight to Saudi Arabia, who was caught at MMIA with 400 grams of cocaine hidden in her footwear.
Subsequent investigations revealed that Abdullahi Olarenwaju Ramon, Suleiman’s brother, had hired the arrested drug courier. It was also found that Suleiman had financed her flight tickets and other travel expenses.
Shortly after, on November 24, 2022, another drug mule, Lawal Lateef Oyenuga, was arrested with 400 grams of cocaine concealed in male footwear while en route to Saudi Arabia.
Lawal confessed that Wasiu Sanni Gbolahan, who was later convicted, had hired him on behalf of Suleiman. Lawal further implicated Gbolahan’s connection to Suleiman through an intermediary named Igbono, who was later identified as Oluwafemi Akande Abidoye.
As the investigation into these cases continued, two more drug mules were detained at MMIA on June 21, 2024, en route to Doha, Qatar.
One suspect, Aikhomoun Daniel, expelled 90 cocaine pellets weighing 1.022 kg, while the other, Ayigoro Waheed Omobolaji, excreted 60 wraps totalling 662 grams. It was discovered that both couriers were recruited by Igbono, a known associate of Suleiman.
Financial investigations also linked Suleiman to the arrested individuals and his associates, Oluwafemi Akande Abidoye and Olanrewaju Abdullahi Ramon, who are still at large.
Consequently, the agency froze bank accounts associated with the cartel and arrested Suleiman on August 26, 2024, for further questioning.
Suleiman claimed to be involved in property development and hotel management and said he splits his time between Lagos and Paris. He also stated that he runs a clothing business with his wife in Balogun market, Lagos Island, and that his frequent trips to Saudi Arabia were for religious purposes. He holds the traditional title of Akeweje of Yaba (Youth Leader of Yaba Land).
The NDLEA has identified several properties belonging to Suleiman, including two houses on Queens Street, Ebute-Meta, and the Barryshine hotel on Freeman Street, Yaba, Lagos.
Justice Dipeolu Deinde Isaac of the Federal High Court in Lagos has granted the NDLEA’s request to extend Suleiman’s detention for an additional 30 days and to declare his two associates, Oluwafemi Akande Abidoye and Olanrewaju Abdullahi Ramon, wanted.
The court’s ruling includes declaring Abidoye and Ramon wanted for their involvement in drug trafficking activities related to the arrest of Ajisegiri Kehinde Sidika.
Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), NDLEA Chairman and CEO, praised the MMIA Strategic Command for their thorough two-year investigation, which led to the conviction of three traffickers and the arrest of the key figure in the drug trafficking network. He affirmed that the law will eventually reach those involved in such criminal activities, regardless of how long it takes.