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The National Drug
Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Sunday disclosed that it will charge
the couple that allegedly used their six-year-old twins in smuggling
cocaine at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), for money
laundering.

The agency
disclosed that its latest findings on the duo, Jimoh Bashir and Jimoh
Milikat, revealed that the couple has assets valued at over ₦50
million, adding that this discovery contradicts the couple’s claim of
financial difficulty that resulted in their inability to afford their
children’s school fees.

“The assets include
two luxury houses in Lekki, Lagos, and three posh cars,” said Mitchell
Ofoyeju, spokesperson for the agency. “Preliminary investigation has
also revealed that the couple, believed to be professional couriers,
had travelled to London with the twins 17 times since 2006, under the
guise of holiday or visit.” Ahmadu Giade, chief executive of the
anti-drug outfit, disclosed that the agency will impound all assets
traced to the couple, that are believed to have been acquired with
illicit drug proceeds.

Assuring that he
will probe further into the matter, Mr. Giade disclosed that the agency
will see to it that they uncover any other asset that is yet to be
discovered.

“We have
successfully traced houses and some vehicles belonging to the couple,”
he said. “Given the competence of the team of investigators, we hope to
uncover more assets.”

Background

Early this month,
the agency announced the arrest of the family of four as they were
about boarding an Arik Air flight to London, Heathrow, after white
substances detected to be cocaine were found in their possession.

The 46-year-old
father was alleged to have connived with his wife in concealing 350g of
cocaine each, in the diaper of their six-year-old twins. The wife also
concealed 3.35kg in her bra and underwear, bringing the total quantity
of cocaine to 4.05kg.

Victoria Egbase,
director of assets and financial investigations, NDLEA, disclosed that
the recovered properties include three cars – Toyota Matrix, Lexus and
Mazda; two three bedroom flats; and another building where they operate
a supermarket at Lekki, Lagos.

The agency,
however, disclosed that the couple will face multiple charges because
of the nature of their case, stressing that besides being the first
family to be nabbed over cocaine trafficking in the country, they are
also the first to use their twins in smuggling cocaine.

“The likely charges
hanging on their necks include unlawful possession and exportation of
4.05kg of cocaine, money laundering as well as child abuse for using
their six-year-old twins in cocaine smuggling,” said Mr. Ofoyeju.

The agency’s
Murtala Mohammed International Airport commander, Hamza Umar, disclosed
that investigation into the case is at an advanced stage and that other
accomplices shall be made to face the wrath of the law.

“The case is under investigation and we have made significant
progress,” he said. “All the people involved shall be brought to book.”