Fatoke Abiodun,
Nigeria’s veteran guitarist, who played alongside legendary musician, King
Sunny Ade for three decades, has been arrested with cocaine, the anti-drug
agency said on Saturday.
The National Drug Law
Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, said that Abiodun was arrested on 1 January while
attempting to board an Air France flight to Italy at the Murtala Muhammed
International Airport in Lagos, southwest Nigeria.
“We have made the
first arrest in the new year. The suspect, a guitarist by name Fatoke Abiodun
was found with 1.575kg of cocaine. The drug was discovered in the false bottom
of his luggage during the outward screening of passengers to Italy,” said
,NDLEA Commander the Lagos Airport, Mr Hamza Umar
The agency said the 62-year old grandfather with four wives and
many children, is helping narcotic investigators handling the case.
“Fatoke has owned up to the alleged crime blaming his
involvement on financial hardship,” said the agency’s spokesperson, Mitchell
Ofoyeju.
NDLEA quoted Fatoke as saying: “I played for King Sunny Ade for
30 years before I was unceremoniously retired in 2007. I was unprepared and
without severance money I saw the bitter side of life.”
He said his drug trafficking attempt is his first as he did it
out of frustration.
“Because at my age I could not provide for my family. I am
ashamed of myself,” he was quoted as saying.
NDLEA Chairman, Ahmadu Giade described the involvement of Fatoke
in drug trafficking as sad and disappointing.
“It is sad and disappointing for a grandfather to be involved in
drug trafficking. This is a bad legacy to his children. This is a good start
for the agency in the year and a sign that the days ahead will be tough for
drug traffickers. The agency will continue to handle every case in accordance
with the NDLEA Act,” Giade was quoted as saying.
The suspect will be charged to court for unlawful exportation
and possession of narcotics, NDLEA said.
Source: PMNews
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