Governor El-Rufai suspends traditional ruler after he was arrested in possession of hemp

KADUNA State governor Nasir El-Rufai has suspended the village head of Goma in Gimi District of Danga Local Government Area Alhaji Danladi Ibrahim over a drug-related offence after he was caught in possession of marijuana.

 

Last week, Alhaji Ibrahim was arrested by the operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) while in possession of 1.5kg of marijuana. He is expected to be charged with the offence of possession with intent to supply and pending his trial, the governor decided to relieve him of his duties.

 

Governor El-Rufai's spokesman Samuel Aruwan, said: In a dramatic demonstration of its campaign against drugs, the Kaduna State government has announced the immediate suspension of a traditional ruler who was arrested for a drug-related offence.  He admitted ownership of the illegal drug, and the NDLEA will be charging him to court as soon as it concludes it investigations.

 

“The NDLEA subsequently notified the Kaduna State Security Council of the arrest of the traditional ruler. While deliberating on the matter, the council recommended his suspension from office pending the conclusion of investigations and possible trial and the government accepted the recommendation.”

 

It is not yet clear if the traditional ruler was just a recreational user or a supplier who distributes Indian hemp. Under Nigeria's drug prevention laws, the NDLEA is responsible for combating the control of narcotics like Indian hemp, cocaine and Ecstacy,