Posted by By HENRY CHUKWURAH, Port Harcourt on
Looking at his frail and bent frame as he walked slowly and unsteadily, with the aid of a walking stock, one would understandably mistake him for one harmless old man on a mere visit to the Port Harcourt office of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Looking at his frail and bent frame as he walked slowly and unsteadily, with the aid of a walking stock, one would understandably mistake him for one harmless old man on a mere visit to the Port Harcourt office of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). But as the saying goes, looks can be deceptive. The elderly man, 76 year-old Pa Chibudoze Akabueze, is indeed, a detainee . He and two others of his generation now in the NDLEA net, are examples unworthy of emulation.
On April 10, this year, he was allegedly caught with 2.1kgs of cannabis sativa a.k.a. Indian Hemp. Also in Pa Akabueze's club of oldies in crime are 70-year-old Abu Achonu and Johnson Thursday alias ‘Dogo'.
Expectedly, all three senior citizens who were among the nine suspects paraded on Monday, May 16, had seemingly woeful tales to tell.
Pa Akabueze, who could hardly speak out during an interview with Daily Sun, said an unnamed military man was to be blamed.
Owning up to the offence, he said that a soldier at the military cantonment in Bori Camp, Port Harcourt, who pitied his wretched condition, gave him the deadly weeds to sell
"My son, they found the thing in my house. A soldier in Bori Camp, who met me at our drinking bar and took pity on my poor condition, gave it to me to sell so that we can share the profits later.
"He gave it to me on Saturday and the next day, these people came and arrested me. It is my condition that put me in this mess".
Pa Akabueze later drew laughter from the thin crowd of mainly NDLEA officials and reporters when he said that all his life, he never heard that Indian hemp was classified and banned by government, as hard drug. Also, he would want whoever cared to lend him an ear that he has never tested the leafy drug.
" I have never taken it. I don't even smoke. It was the soldier who gave it to me", he said in his native Igbo language.
In his own defence, 70-year-old Achonu said the 42.9kgs of Canabis found in his possession on April 4, this year, belonged to his son, Leo, who is now on the run and may be taking refuge in his village.
"They arrested my wife initially, but when I came and identified her as my wife, they let her go and detained me. The thing belonges to my son, Leo. He is above 24 years and he lived in my house". Asked if he was aware that Leo was in the illicit business, the suspect answered in the affirmative.
" I was aware that the boy was selling Indian hemp and I advised him to stop but he would not listen".
Achony said he was ready to take NDLEA officials to wherever Leo was hiding, "if only they release me".
The State Commander of the Agency, Mr Nicholas Walter, hinted that the suspects would soon face prosecution.