Suleiman, the Managing Director/CEO of Barryshine Suleiman Nigeria Ltd, has been arrested after being under the surveillance of the NDLEA for his suspected involvement in four attempts to smuggle cocaine to Saudi Arabia and Qatar. These attempts were foiled at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja Lagos, between 2022 and 2024.
His name first surfaced on November 13, 2022, when a woman named Alhaja Ajisegiri Kehinde Sidika was caught with 400 grams of cocaine hidden in female shoes on a Qatar Airlines flight heading to Saudi Arabia. Further investigations revealed that her travel expenses were covered by Suleiman’s brother, Abdullahi Olarenwaju Ramon, and sponsored by Alhaji Suleiman Ganiu Aremu.
Just days after Sidika’s arrest, another drug mule, Lawal Lateef Oyenuga, was apprehended on November 24, 2022, while attempting to smuggle an identical quantity of cocaine to Saudi Arabia. Oyenuga confessed that he had been recruited by one Wasiu Sanni Gbolahan, also known as Teacher, who worked for Suleiman. Gbolahan, who was later convicted, introduced Oyenuga to the drug baron through an associate, Oluwafemi Akande Abidoye, also known by multiple aliases, including Igbono and Murphy.
While the investigation into these cases continued, authorities arrested two more drug couriers on June 21, 2024, at MMIA on their way to Doha, Qatar. One of the suspects, Aikhomoun Daniel (alias Oladapo Olanrewaju), expelled 90 pellets of cocaine, weighing over 1kg. His co-conspirator, Ayigoro Waheed Omobolaji, excreted 60 wraps of cocaine weighing 662 grams. Further probes revealed both couriers were recruited by Igbono, the same associate involved in the earlier cases from 2022.
A financial investigation linked Suleiman to the drug traffickers, along with two of his associates: Oluwafemi Akande Abidoye and Olanrewaju Abdullahi Ramon. Both accomplices are still at large. In response, the agency blocked the bank accounts of cartel members, and Suleiman was finally taken into custody on August 26, 2024, for further questioning.
During his statement, Suleiman denied the drug allegations, claiming he is involved in property development and hotel management, with businesses in Lagos and Paris. He also stated that he and his wife operate a clothing business at Balogun Market in Lagos. Suleiman said his frequent trips to Saudi Arabia were for religious pilgrimages, and he holds the traditional title of Akeweje of Yaba (Youth Leader of Yaba Land). Investigators have linked him to several properties, including two homes in Ebute-Meta and a hotel in Yaba, Lagos.
Meanwhile, Justice Dipeolu Deinde Isaac of the Federal High Court in Lagos granted the NDLEA’s request to detain Suleiman for an additional 30 days while investigations continue. The court also declared his associates, Igbono and Ramon, wanted.
In his ruling, Justice Dipeolu stated: “An order is hereby made declaring one Oluwafemi Akande Abidoye, also known as Igbono, wanted for his involvement in multiple drug trafficking activities with Suleiman Aremu Ganiu, also known as Barryshine.” The judge also declared Olarenwaju Ramon wanted for his role in the drug trafficking activities tied to the arrest of Sidika, who was caught with 400 grams of cocaine in her footwear at MMIA.
NDLEA Chairman, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), praised the efforts of the MMIA Strategic Command for their diligent two-year investigation, which led to the arrest of several traffickers and the eventual capture of the kingpin, Suleiman. Marwa emphasized that no matter how long it takes, the law will catch up with those involved in drug trafficking.
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