Nigerians woke up to the news of two music stars, Zinolesky and Mohbad landing themselves in the net of NDLEA.
The Marlian music signees were reportedly busted and arrested at their place of residence in Lekki. It is hard to separate the use of recreational drugs in the entertainment industry, as such the preying eye of Drug Enforcement agents are always looking for a popular figure to pounce on. See list of celebrities who have been arrested for drug-related offences in the past
1. CDQ
Last April, renowned indigenous Nigerian rapper, Sodiq Abubakar Yussuf aka CDQ was arrested at his Lekki residence by the NDLEA following an intelligence report that was gathered.
The drug law agency had said they found some substance known as ‘loud’ a cannabis variant in the rapper’s house.
According to an exclusive report gathered from The Punch, the NDLEA’s director of media and advocacy, Femi Babafemi, confirmed the arrest of the rapper and made it clear that he is still being investigated.
“Yes, CDQ was arrested in his house at Lekki for being in possession of cannabis. He was arrested based on intelligence. As of last night, he was granted administrative bail, but he is expected back into custody today because it is an ongoing investigation,” he said.
The rapper was released after 24hrs in NDLEA’s custody.
Tochi Uche Odobuta
Popular Nollywood actor, Uche Odobuta was arrested on March 23, 2007, for attempting to smuggle about 1.336kg of cocaine.
Prince Uche was apprehended by men of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos when he was about to board a Virgin Atlantic Airways flight to London, England.
The actor said he was lured into the act by his London friends. He was reported to have been sentenced to eight months in prison.
Hassanat Akinwande Taiwo (Yetunde Wunmi)
Nollywood star, Hassanat Akinwande Taiwo, popularly known as Yetunde Wunmi, was arrested by officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for cocaine trafficking.
Investigations revealed that the actress was arrested on her way to London as she was about to board a Virgin Atlantic plane at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos by the NDLEA.
The veteran actress was said to have been injected to excrete the cocaine she swallowed. Yetunde Wunmi excreted cocaine wraps (condom-size), numbering in excess of 90.
After her excretion, she was taken to the Shaw Road, Ikoyi, Lagos office of NDLEA to undergo interrogation and was eventually lightly jailed. This has left a dent on her career till date which she is yet to recover from.
Fatoke Abiodun
In 2013, virtuoso singer, King Sunny Ade’s ex-lead guitarist, who has unceremoniously retired from his band about eight years ago, was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment by a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos for drug trafficking.
The veteran guitarist was arrested on January 1, 2013 with 1.575kg of cocaine while trying to board an Air France flight to Italy at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos. The drug was discovered in the false bottom of his luggage during the screening of passengers to Italy.
The grandfather and husband of four wives with many children owned up to the alleged crime blaming his involvement on financial hardship.
The incident cost him more than just his time and reputation as he also lost his place in the band of the maestro singer.
Allen Esegine (OREZI)
In 2011, popular Nigerian singer Orezi was rumored to have been involved in a drug-related offense and was reported to have been arrested in Dubai, UAE.
However, this story was debunked as untrue by the singer and his team who stated that the story was fabricated to tarnish the image of the singer.