A Nigerian pastor has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja Lagos.
The suspect identified as Rev. Ugochukwu Emmanuel Ekwem, is the General Overseer of Christ Living Hope Church, with headquarters in Awka, Anambra State, and branches in Lagos and Abuja.
Daily Report Nigeria gathered that Ekwem was nabbed by the NDLEA while on his way to a 3-week crusade in Nairobi, Kenya.
ATTENTION: Click “HERE” to join our WhatsApp group and receive News updates directly on your WhatsApp!
The NDLEA Director, Media & Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, in a statement on Sunday, said Pastor Ugochukwu was arrested on Monday, March 7, during the outward clearance of passengers on an Ethiopian Airlines flight enroute Nairobi via Addis Ababa.
Rev Ugochukwu Emmanuel Ekwem was caught with 54 sticks, which returned positive tests results for cannabis.
The clergyman is said to have confessed during a preliminary interview that the sticks were for use during his three weeks crusade in Kenya.
The statement reads;
“Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have arrested the General Overseer of Christ Living Hope Church, Rev. Ugochukwu Emmanuel Ekwem at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja Lagos while on his way to a three-week crusade in Nairobi, Kenya, with 54 sticks of drugs wrapped around his body.
“The youthful and popular preacher who has his church headquarters in Isuaniocha, Mgbakwu road, Awka, Awka North LGA, Anambra state and two other branches in Lagos and Abuja, was arrested on Monday 7th March, during the outward clearance of passengers on Ethiopian Airlines flight to Nairobi via Addis Ababa.
“When tested, the 54 sticks proved positive to cannabis. The clergyman confessed during preliminary interview that he packed that quantity of illicit substance on his body to use during his three weeks crusade in Kenya,” the statement added.
