Posted by By Ibrahim Barde, Kano on
The pharmacist who allegedly imported drugs, suspected to be cocaine weighing 42kg from Iran via Malam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano (MAKIA), some weeks back has owned up to his role in queer import but still insists that there was no breach of the law in the transaction.
The pharmacist who allegedly imported drugs, suspected to be cocaine weighing 42kg from Iran via Malam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano (MAKIA), some weeks back has owned up to his role in queer import but still insists that there was no breach of the law in the transaction.
The suspect, Sule Isa Ahmed, in an interview with Saturday Sun in Kano also revealed that he was not used as a conduit pipe, alleging that the real owner was a certain Barrister Sani who briefed him on the nature of the import before the parcel was brought in.
"My name is Sule Isa Ahmed. I work with Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano. I am a pharmacist - in fact, I am the Chairman of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Kano State Chapter', he said.
"The thing is that when this whole scenario started, I was not the owner of the parcel in question, the owner is Barrister Sani, a very close friend of mine. I am in the full picture of what happened on the importation of the parcel. Barrister Sani contacted on me whether he could import certain drug and I said yes he could and he said whether I could assist him with the professional aspect and I said I can and told him to go ahead. He was in Tehran.
Even before the parcel came, I told him that I don't know so much. I must confess that I had never cleared anything at the airport, but one thing I can assure you is that I have a friend who is working with NDLEA. I think I can use his name. He knows the airport so well, in fact, he is there. I now used his name so that, number one; the security of the goods, number two; since I am inexperienced in clearing goods, he could be of assistance in terms of protocols. That was just the intention. It was not meant for any harm.
It was not cocaine
Ahmed said he is surprised that the media made so much fuss over the issue, especially as there was banned substances in the parcel
"I don't know why the media hysteria about the whole thing. The result of the final testing has shown that it is not cocaine, that it is not a harmful drug, it is not a contraband. When I went to the NDLEA, they said I was granted bail on self recognition. I don't what that means in legal cycle but that may mean that from 5pm to about mid-night that I was with them. I was in detention but each time I asked may I go, I was told to wait. I was impressed by the ethical manner that the state commander handled the matter," he said.
Confirming this, the State Commander of the NDLEA in Kano, Muhammad Malami Sokoto said: "the drug in question has been tested at our laboratory in Lagos and found not be cocaine. In fact the drug is: Azithromycin (an antibiotic). So the matter is closed and he has been released. He has written a letter of apology regretting his use of our officer's name - Umar Usman," he said.
•Deputy Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Pius Ewherido celebrated his 42nd birthday. Left is his wife, Doye and daughter Eloho, cutting the birthday cake.
(Below) Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Young Igbrude, his wife and another guest at the Church service.