Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA have arrested the founder and General Overseer of Seraphic & Sabbath Assembly, Lagos, High Priest Nnodu Azuka Kenrick, over alleged attempt to export illicit drugs concealed in kegs of palm oil through the Lagos international airport to Dubai, United Arab Emirate.
The suspect was arrested alongside a student of Emmanuel College of Theology, Samonda, Ibadan, Udezuka Udoka & their freight agent, Oyoyo Mary Obasi.
NDLEA’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, in a statement on Sunday, February 12, said:
“High Priest Nnodu was arrested on the 11th February 2023 at his Seraphic & Sabbath Assembly church in Ijesha area of Lagos following the arrest of two suspects: Mary & Udoka on the 9th February at the Lagos airport in connection with the seizure of 283 parcels of skunk weighing 14.90 kilograms & 204 grams of methamphetamine concealed in four 25-litre kegs of palm oil for export to Dubai.”
“In her statement Mary indicted the General Overseer of her new-found church, Nnodu and his son, Chisom Obi, who is now at large as the persons that gave her the consignments for export after being compelled to take an oath of secrecy as well as a sacrifice of chicken in the church while High Priest Nnodu prayed for her for the success of the transaction.
“Spilling the beans on how she was recruited by her church’s GO, Mary said the clergyman and his son used threats to compel her to take the job after they knew she had known their secrets, adding that High Priest Nnodu was always referring to the illicit drugs as Ice and Bible, (Street names for Methamphetamine and Cannabis) in their telephone text message chats.
“The theology student, Udezuka was introduced to Mary to assist her because she was new in the illicit business. Udezuka said he was paid N2 million for his role and had to do it because he needed the money for his education.”
The NDLEA said its operatives also arrested Agholor Emmanuel, a freight agent, after 1.10 kilograms of methamphetamine was found in the lining of cartons.
“In the consignment containing food items packed in a carton, the four walls of the carton were used to conceal 1.10 kilograms of methamphetamine while the freight agent, Agholor Emmanuel, who presented the cargo for export was immediately arrested,” the anti-drug agency said.
