An officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Zofun Joseph Setonji, detailed before a Federal High Court in Lagos the intense and dangerous operation that led to the arrest of a notorious drug baron, Jimoh Sulaimon Olowoidiogede, also known as “Temo” or “Godfather 001.” Setonji’s testimony revealed a months-long surveillance operation based on credible intelligence that culminated in the apprehension of the drug lord on July 22, 2024.
Temo, a well-known figure in the illicit drug trade, is currently being tried by the NDLEA on a six-count charge, including conspiracy, trafficking of 704 kilograms of Cannabis Sativa, popularly known as “Ghana Loud,” and running a Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO). The charges also extend to money laundering, all of which are violations of various sections of the NDLEA Act and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.
During the court proceedings, presided over by Justice Deinde Dipeolu, Setonji, while being led in evidence by NDLEA prosecutors Mrs. Theresa Asuquo and Mr. Lambert Nor, narrated how intelligence led to the tracking and eventual arrest of Temo. Setonji, who serves as Officer in Charge of Squad 1 at the NDLEA’s Gbagada head office, disclosed that the operation began in April 2023 when an informant alerted him about Temo’s plan to bring in drugs from Ghana to Nigeria by sea.
Setonji recounted that the NDLEA set up surveillance after receiving information about a large consignment of drugs scheduled to arrive in Nigeria. Initially, Temo aborted the delivery after getting wind of NDLEA’s interest in the shipment. However, on May 3, 2023, the informant provided fresh information that the drug shipment would be coming in that night.
“We planned to intercept the shipment at Eleko Beach, Lagos, with five vehicles—three marked and two unmarked. Around midnight on May 4, the informant updated me that the drugs were being loaded into trucks, but they were aware of our presence,” Setonji said.
Despite the complications, Setonji and his team were able to intercept two trucks around 4 a.m. the same day. However, the operation took a dangerous turn when armed men launched an attack on the NDLEA operatives, allowing the occupants of the trucks to escape. Nevertheless, the NDLEA seized the trucks, which were found to contain 202 bags of marijuana, weighing 8.58 tons.
In a shocking twist, Setonji revealed that shortly after the interception of the trucks, he received a threatening phone call from Temo. “A private number called me, and the person identified himself as Alhaji Jimoh Sulaimon Olowoidiogede, also known as Temo. He said, ‘You have the guts to seize my drug. I know where you live. I’m going to kill you and kidnap your wife and children.’”
Despite the threat, Setonji remained defiant, responding, “Before you kill me, I will arrest you.” This chilling exchange further demonstrated the dangerous and brazen nature of Temo’s operations and his willingness to use violence to protect his drug empire.
