Nigerian Drug Suspect in Philippines Looks Up to Full Probe into His Conviction

A Nigerian national, ThankGod Ekenedilichukwu, has asked for a full-blown preliminary investigation into drug charges filed against him by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in connection with his alleged possession of P400,000 worth of high-grade shabu on Tuesday.

 

ThankGod, an alleged member of the West African Drug Syndicate (WADS), was arrested on Tuesday morning in Pamplona, Las Pinas City in the Philippines by agents from the NBI Anti-orgnised Crime and Transnational Crimes Division.

 

He was arrested through interdiction, where a trained dog was used by the agents to locate his alleged drug package of at least 137 grams of shabu safely tucked inside a bag in his car.

ThankGod attempted to manoeuver his car to escape the operatives, but he was eventually cornered and brought to the NBI detention facility at the bureau's headquarters in Manila.

 

He was brought to the Department of Justice (DoJ) yesterday to undergo inquest proceedings before Assistant State Prosecutors, Juan Pedro Navera and Irwin Maraya, and Prosecution Atty. Anna Devanadera.

 

ThankGod waived his right to be released from detention and requested for a full-blown preliminary probe by the DoJ.

 

This is not the first time for an alleged WADS member to fall into the hands of Philipino law enforcers.

 

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), the country's leading anti-drug agency, had revealed that most of the syndicate's financiers are from Nigeria, and that the group veils its operations through illegal recruitment or by marrying drug mules.

 

The first preliminary investigation hearing on the case against ThankGod is set on January 21 where he is expected to submit his counter-affidavit.