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.
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