NDLEA Re-arrests Drug Suspect Who Faked His Death

Ibrahim Yusuf Lawal, aged 50, was re-arrested by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) after allegedly faking his death to evade prosecution for drug trafficking. Lawal had initially been arrested on February 5, 2022, at Ugbekun Junction in Esan Central Local Government Area, Edo State, where he was found with 0.257 kg of Lexotan, 1 kg of Diazepam, and 5.4 kg of Phenobarbital concealed in a white Toyota bus with registration number Abuja BWR 401 XC.

He was arraigned on three counts of unlawfully transporting controlled substances under the NDLEA Act but later absconded after being granted bail. His wife, Ibrahim Nana Hawa, submitted a fraudulent affidavit in October 2024, claiming he died of tuberculosis on October 3, 2024, while they resided in Iruvucheba, Oken Local Government Area, Kogi State.

However, intelligence reports led to the discovery that Lawal was alive, resulting in his covert re-arrest. He is scheduled for re-arraignment before Justice B.O.

Quadri at the Federal High Court in Benin on June 22, 2026.