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During his appearance at the Federal High Court in Lagos State on Friday, Setonji detailed how the arrest was made possible through reliable intelligence and ongoing surveillance.
Temo, also referred to as ‘Godfather’ or ‘001,’ is charged with six offenses, including conspiracy, trafficking 704 kilograms of cannabis sativa (Ghana Loud), operating a drug trafficking organization, and money laundering.
In his testimony, Setonji, guided by prosecutors Theresa Asuquo and Lambert Nor, recounted receiving intelligence in April 2023 regarding Temo’s intentions to smuggle drugs into Nigeria from Ghana via waterways.
Following this information, Setonji and his team set up an ambush at Eleko Beach on May 4, 2023, after verifying the movement of the drug shipment.
He noted that despite an early warning indicating that the NDLEA was monitoring their activities, the team successfully intercepted two trucks carrying 202 bags of marijuana, totaling 8.58 tonnes. Setonji further revealed that after the seizure, he received a threatening call from Temo, who remarked, “You have the guts to seize my drugs.”
‘I know where you live, and I will kill you and kidnap your wife and children,” Setonji said.
The witness stated that he replied, and said, “Before you kill me, I will arrest you.”
After this communication, Setonji reported that he obtained additional information regarding Temo's location.
He stated that the informant indicated Temo would be present at a gathering in Sango Ota, Ogun State.
The witness also informed the court that he acquired a distinctive cap, which acted as an invitation, in order to gain access to the event.
“Armed with this information, I gave my informant N3,500 for the cap and on the day of the party, I went to the party with the informant.
“On getting there, the informant stood outside while I went inside to the party venue with the cap on,” he said.
Setonji reported that he recognized Temo, who arrived with a punk hairstyle and a long necklace, as described by the informant. On July 22, 2024, during a raid in the Igbarere area of Mushin, Lagos, he and his team encountered Temo, who was driving a Mercedes Benz. Setonji noted that when Temo spotted the NDLEA officers, he attempted to escape but was apprehended despite resistance and an assault attempt by local hoodlums.
Another NDLEA officer, Adewole Timothy, supported Setonji’s account, explaining that after receiving intelligence regarding Temo’s drug activities in 2023, he conducted surveillance to confirm the information.
He mentioned that on July 25, 2024, during an operation on Igbarere Street, Mushin, Temo fled upon seeing the NDLEA officers, although his driver, Sulaimon Shehu, was taken into custody.
“The team discovered and seized 18 bags of cannabis sativa weighing 252 kg from Temo’s warehouse,” Timothy stated.
During cross-examination by Temo’s attorney, Benson Ndakara, Timothy disclosed that Shehu admitted in his statement to being a close associate of Temo and that the drugs were Temo's. He also indicated that while they did not verify the warehouse ownership through the Land Registry, the informant confirmed it belonged to Temo.
Another witness for the prosecution, NDLEA exhibit keeper Nketai Benjamin, testified that he conducted tests on the seized drugs, confirming they were cannabis sativa. The test results and related documents were submitted as evidence in court.
Temo’s counsel, Ndakara, requested bail for his client, while the prosecution presented their case. Justice Deinde Dipeolu adjourned the hearing to October 15 and 16, 2024, stating that the date for the ruling on the bail application would be communicated to the parties involved.