Senate summons NDLEA over drug allegations against Kwara senator Ashiru, launches probe

The Senate has summoned the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to appear before a newly formed six-member panel to substantiate its allegations against Deputy Senate Leader, Senator Oyelola Ashiru, who has been accused of involvement in drug-related activities.

This decision followed Senator Ashiru’s formal complaint to the Red Chamber on Tuesday, stating that his privilege had been violated by the NDLEA’s accusations.

The Informant247 reports that the agency had alleged that Senator Ashiru was involved in the stocking and distribution of hard drugs, a claim the senator categorically denied.

In a statement issued by the NDLEA, the agency detailed an incident in which Ashiru’s residence in Ilorin, Kwara State, was raided in February 2024.

NDLEA stated that during the raid, two of his aides were arrested, and drugs were allegedly recovered from the property.

The agency also noted that another raid in Offa, Ashiru’s hometown, resulted in the arrest of a third individual linked to drug activities associated with the senator’s aides.

However, on the Senate floor, Senator Ashiru denied all accusations, describing the NDLEA’s claims as a smear campaign aimed at damaging his reputation.

He emphasized that he neither drinks alcohol nor consumes any substances beyond water, stating, “I do not know, nor can I identify any hard substances.”

Ashiru called on the Senate to take action, saying, “For the protection of myself and the entire Senate, we must do something.”

The Senate’s six-member panel will investigate the NDLEA’s allegations and report back on its findings, while the agency is expected to provide evidence to support its claims.