Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have apprehended Alhaji Suleiman Ganiu Aremu, also known as Barryshine, a sought-after drug baron, two years after he came under the agency’s scrutiny.
Suleiman, the Managing Director/CEO of Barryshine Suleiman Nigeria Ltd, had been on the NDLEA’s watchlist due to his alleged involvement in four thwarted attempts to smuggle cocaine into Saudi Arabia and Qatar through Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja Lagos, between 2022 and 2024.
His name first appeared in the agency’s reports on November 13, 2022, following the arrest of Alhaja Ajisegiri Kehinde Sidika, a female passenger on a Qatar Airways flight to Saudi Arabia. Sidika was caught at MMIA with 400 grams of cocaine hidden in female footwear.
Further investigation revealed that Abdullahi Olarenwaju Ramon, Suleiman’s brother, had hired Sidika to carry the drugs. Additionally, it was discovered that Suleiman had funded the flight tickets and travel expenses for the suspect.
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Just days after Sidika’s arrest, another drug mule, Lawal Lateef Oyenuga, was apprehended on November 24, 2022, at MMIA with the same amount of cocaine concealed in male footwear, also en route to Saudi Arabia.
The suspect, Lawal Lateef Oyenuga, admitted that he was hired by Wasiu Sanni Gbolahan (also known as Teacher), who was subsequently arrested and convicted. Oyenuga further alleged that Wasiu Gbolahan connected him with the drug baron through an intermediary identified as Oluwafemi Akande Abidoye, who is known by several aliases, including Igbono, Murphy, Femi Iwaya, Ade Iwaya, Baba Eje, and Ejeoto.
While investigations into these cases were ongoing and the search for the baron continued, two additional drug mules were apprehended at MMIA on June 21, 2024, while en route to Doha, Qatar. One of the suspects, identified as Aikhomoun Daniel (also known as Oladapo Olanrewaju), expelled 90 pellets of cocaine, weighing 1.022 kg, which he had ingested. The other suspect, Ayigoro Waheed Omobolaji, excreted 60 wraps of cocaine, totaling 662 grams.
Further investigation revealed that the two couriers, Aikhomoun Daniel and Ayigoro Waheed Omobolaji, were recruited by Oluwafemi Akande Abidoye, also known as Igbono, who is affiliated with the drug baron and was involved in previous cases in 2022 with Ajesegiri Kehinde Sidika and Lawal Lateef Oyenuga.
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Financial investigations by the Agency also linked the baron, Suleiman, to the arrested suspects and two of his associates, Oluwafemi Akande Abidoye and Olanrewaju Abdullahi Ramon, who are both currently at large. Consequently, the Agency froze the bank accounts associated with the cartel members.
Suleiman was eventually taken into custody on August 26, 2024, for further investigation. In his statements, he claimed to be involved in property development and hotel management, dividing his time between Lagos and Paris, France. He also mentioned running a clothing business with his wife at Balogun Market, Lagos Island, and stated that his frequent trips to Saudi Arabia were for performing lesser hajj.
Suleiman also holds the traditional title of Akeweje of Yaba (Youth Leader of Yaba Land). Properties traced to him include two houses located at 63 and 72 Queens Street, Ebute-Meta, and his Barryshine Hotel at 95 Freeman Street, Yaba, Lagos.
Justice Dipeolu Deinde Isaac of the Federal High Court in Lagos has approved the NDLEA’s request to extend the detention of drug kingpin Suleiman by 30 days and to issue a wanted notice for his two associates, Oluwafemi Akande Abidoye and Olanrewaju Abdullahi Ramon, who are currently at large.
In his ruling on the ex-parte motion in case number FHC/L/MISC/555/24, Justice Dipeolu stated:
“An order is hereby made declaring one Oluwafemi Akande Abidoye, also known as ‘Igbono,’ ‘Murphy,’ ‘Femi Iwaya,’ ‘Ade Iwaya,’ ‘Baba Eje,’ and ‘Ejeoto,’ wanted for his involvement in multiple drug trafficking activities with Suleiman Aremu Ganiu (also known as Barryshine).”
The judge also ordered:
“An order is hereby made declaring one Olanrewaju Ramon Abdullahi wanted for his involvement in drug trafficking activities with Suleiman Aremu Ganiu (also known as Barryshine), in connection with the arrest of Ajisegiri Kehinde Sidika at MMIA Ikeja-Lagos during outward clearance of a Qatar Airways flight to Saudi Arabia, where she was found with 400 grams of cocaine concealed in footwear.”
Reacting to the development, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, praised the officers and staff of the MMIA Strategic Command for their meticulous two-year investigation. This effort led to the conviction of three traffickers and the eventual apprehension of the cartel’s leader.
He emphasized that this case demonstrates the law’s relentless pursuit of those involved in criminal activities, regardless of how long it takes.
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