A 48-year-old business man, Mr Aro Aderinde has called on the Chairman/Chief Executive of (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd) to order the retraction of his name from all media publications, in print, electronic and the social media after being freed and confirmed innocent of illicit drug Charges levelled against him in October, 2022.
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Aro Aderinde at a press conference in Abuja on Saturday described anti-narcotics officers action has unprofessional, defamatory, Injurious to his reputation, his business, and his family's reputation requested the chairman of NDLEA to tender an apology.
"After my release, my lawyer wrote the NDLEA for retractions of all publications against me in print, electronic and the social media, but the organization replied my lawyer that it is not culpable hence there is no need for retractions", he said.
According to Aro, "At about 4am, on the 16th October 2022, about 30 armed NDLEA officers invaded my house in Ikorodu, broke and damaged 3 doors to gain entry. They arrested and detained me in their office for 33 days with regards to an offence I knew nothing about.
"They circulated the news to the print, electronic and social media, that I am a Drug kingpin, with my picture carrying a placard and placing some packages beside me in the picture suggesting that those packages of illicit drugs were recovered from me. They did all these without a diligent investigation", he added.
He pointed out that he has has therefore instructed his lawyer to take legal action against the National Drug Law enforcement agency (NDLEA) over his arrest, detention, and the Defamatory publications.
In a telephone interview with the spokesman of NDLEA, Femi Babafemi said, "He’s wanted by the Agency because he’s failed to keep to the conditions of his administrative bail to report along with other suspects in the case. While others have been reporting, he’s failed to show up and already charges had been filed against him. He needs to submit himself to face his charges rather than seeking to appeal for sympathy"
SpyeTV reports that on Sunday, October 16, 2022, anti-narcotics officers who have been on the trail of 48-year-old Aro Aderinde for weeks arrested him on Sunday, October 16, 2022 over his involvement in the export of 3,149 kilogrammes cannabis sativa concealed in coconut fibres via container number MSKU 1820587.