The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has arrested suspected drug kingpin Festus Ibewuike, also known as Chidibest Ibewuike, in Cotonou, Benin Republic, over a 49.70kg heroin seizure at the Lagos airport in February 2024.
Ibewuike was arrested at an airport in Cotonou on September 2, following intelligence received by the anti-narcotics agency.
NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, said the agency worked with INTERPOL in Nigeria and Benin Republic to secure Ibewuike’s transfer to Nigeria.
He said a team of NDLEA operatives was deployed to Cotonou on September 4 to take custody of the suspect.
Ibewuike was declared wanted after NDLEA operatives intercepted 49.70kg of heroin concealed in cartons containing metal-cutting machines at the cargo terminal of the Lagos airport in February 2024.
The agency described the seizure as the largest single heroin consignment intercepted at the airport.
According to the NDLEA, Ibewuike subsequently fled Nigeria for Mozambique, where he allegedly used a hotel business as a cover while evading law enforcement.
He was among suspects charged in connection with the operation, which also led to the arrest of members of the alleged drug syndicate, including his wife, Confidence Ibewuike.
The agency alleged that Confidence received parcels containing the illicit substance on behalf of her husband.
NDLEA said it also placed 107 bank accounts linked to the alleged syndicate under restriction and obtained forfeiture orders over properties reportedly connected to the cartel.
The suspects were arraigned before Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa of the Federal High Court in Lagos in charge number FHC/L/205C/2024.
Three of the defendants — Adinnu Chinedu, Osita Obinna and Uzochukwu Frankline — have been convicted and sentenced, while Chidiebere Peter, Confidence Ibewuike and Igbokwuputa Ireene remain on trial.
The agency said Ibewuike had spent more than two years moving between Mozambique and Nigeria through Benin Republic in an alleged effort to evade arrest.
During preliminary questioning, the 52-year-old reportedly confirmed his identity and disclosed that he had changed his name from Chidibest Ibewuike to Festus Ibewuike.
On September 5, NDLEA officials took him to the agency’s central exhibit store in Lagos, where he allegedly identified the heroin parcels connected to the investigation.
Further investigations, according to the agency, also linked Ibewuike to an earlier drug case involving the seizure of 40.255kg of methamphetamine.
The case, filed as charge number FHC/L/203C/2013 before the Federal High Court in Lagos, involved Chidi Ihedioha, who was convicted in 2023.
NDLEA Chairman, Buba Marwa, described the arrest as a significant development in the agency’s efforts to track down suspects who flee the country after major drug seizures.
“Festus Ibewuike evaded arrest for more than two years, using a different name and starting a new life abroad. Today, he is back in Nigeria to face justice over the 49.70kg heroin seizure linked to his network,” Marwa said.
He added that the arrest should serve as a warning to other suspects who remain at large that the agency would continue pursuing them until they are brought to justice.
Goodness Anunobi
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