Suspended Amotekun operative arrested over alleged drug possession in Ondo
By Khubayb Adefaka
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has confirmed the arrest of a suspended operative of the Ondo State Security Network Agency, popularly known as Amotekun, over alleged involvement in illicit drug activities.
The suspect, Julius Ekujumi, was apprehended on Wednesday in Akure in connection with the seizure of approximately 90 kilograms of illegal substances recovered from his shop in December 2025.
In a statement issued to Sunday PUNCH, NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi said the arrest followed a raid conducted on December 10, 2025, at Ekujumi’s residence in Akure.
According to Babafemi, NDLEA operatives recovered a liquid mixture containing a cocktail of illicit drugs, including cannabis sativa, locally referred to as “monkey tail.” The substance was stored in two paint buckets and a 25-litre jerry can, with a combined weight of 84 kilograms. Officers also recovered an additional four kilograms of cannabis sativa in a bag during the operation.
Babafemi noted that the items were recovered in the presence of Ekujumi’s wife, Modupe, while he was absent. He added that Modupe allegedly admitted ownership of the exhibits and disclosed that her husband had encouraged her to engage in the “monkey tail” trade.
The agency confirmed that Modupe has been charged to court and stated that the charge would be amended to include Ekujumi following his arrest.
Ekujumi had earlier been suspended alongside two other operatives, Abu Taiwo and Akinsipe Victor, by the Amotekun corps after they agitated for improved working conditions. The agency subsequently declared the trio wanted over alleged misconduct and breach of its rules and regulations.
Efforts to obtain comments from the State Commander of the corps, Adetunji Adeleye, were unsuccessful, as calls and messages sent to his phone were not returned.
Meanwhile, the suspended operatives had approached the State High Court in Akure seeking protection of their fundamental rights. The matter, which has been mentioned in court, has reportedly been adjourned multiple times.
Counsel to the operatives, Tope Temokun, confirmed that Ekujumi was arrested by NDLEA personnel at about 5:00 p.m. at his shop in Akure.
Temokun stated that Ekujumi was among three Amotekun officers who spearheaded agitation for the issuance of formal appointment letters to operatives of the corps. He described his client as the most vocal figure in the movement, alleging that his activism put him at odds with the corps leadership.
The lawyer further alleged that on December 10, 2025, at about 2:00 a.m., a joint team of Amotekun and NDLEA operatives stormed Ekujumi’s residence and took his wife into custody. He claimed she had remained in detention without lawful justification.
“If there are lawful allegations against my client, he should be promptly charged before a court of competent jurisdiction,” Temokun said, adding that arrest and prolonged detention should not replace due process.
He called for Modupe’s immediate release or her arraignment in court if valid charges exist, and urged authorities to formally charge Ekujumi if any offence is established. Temokun also warned against what he described as the use of state power to suppress dissenting voices, stating that his legal team would continue to take lawful steps to protect their clients’ constitutional rights.
