Veteran Sunny Ade Guitarist (Fatoke) Arrested With Cocaine At Airport

 Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a veteran guitarist Fatoke Abiodun with cocaine concealed in his luggage.

The NDLEA Commander at the Lagos Airport, Mr. Hamza Umar, who confirmed the arrest said the suspect who played guitar for juju music icon, King Sunny Ade, for three decades was caught on January 1, 2013 at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos while attempting to board an Air France flight to Italy.

He was alleged to have concealed two parcels of cocaine in the false bottom of his luggage.

“We have made the first arrest in the new year. The suspect, a guitarist by name Fatoke Abiodun was found with 1.575kg of cocaine. The drug was discovered in the false bottom of his luggage during the outward screening of passengers to Italy’’, Hamza said.

The 62-year-old grandfather, who is married to four wives with many children is helping narcotic investigators handling the case. Fatoke has owned up to the alleged crime blaming his involvement on financial hardship.

Speaking on how he got involved in drug trafficking, Fatoke explained that the genesis of his involvement in drug trafficking started when he got a call from a friend. He said “I live in Ibadan with my family. I was invited to Lagos where I was given N50,000 and they promised that every arrangement will be ready for me to travel soon. They promised to pay me N1million. If not for my condition, I would have turned down the offer but it was my last hope to free myself from financial difficulty.

“I was given the bag and my ticket but at the airport, NDLEA detected the drug. Since then, I have been in deep pain. I feel bad because I have no one to help me”.

The NDLEA Chairman, Alhaji Ahmadu Giade described the involvement of Fatoke in drug trafficking as sad and disappointing, saying “it is sad and disappointing for a grandfather to be involved in drug trafficking. This is a bad legacy to his children. This is a good start for the agency in the year and a sign that the days ahead will be tough for drug traffickers. The agency will continue to handle every case in accordance with the NDLEA Act”.

He said the suspect would be charged to court for unlawful exportation and possession of narcotics. If convicted, he could spend the next 25 years in prison custody.