Rev. Ugochukwu Ekwem, the General Overseer of Christ Living Hope Church, has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos State.
A statement on Sunday by the spokesperson for the NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, said the suspect was apprehended on his way to a three-week crusade in Nairobi, Kenya, with 54 sticks of drugs wrapped around his body.
He said, “The youthful and popular preacher, who has his church headquarters in Isu Aniocha, Mgbakwu Road, Awka, Awka North LGA, Anambra State, and two other branches in Lagos and Abuja, was arrested on Monday, March 7, during the outward clearance of passengers on an Ethiopian airline flight to Nairobi via Addis Ababa.
“When tested, the 54 sticks proved positive for cannabis. The cleric confessed during a preliminary interview that he packed that quantity of illicit substance on his body to use during his three-week crusade in Kenya.”
The Chairman and Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Marwa (retd.), charged personnel of the agency to stay focussed and intensify efforts to rid Nigeria of illicit drugs and substances.
