Words:Adedosu 'kenzy' Adekunle
After spending over 24 days in detention made by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDELA), Nolly wood actor Babatunde Omidina "Baba Suwe" has been released.
He walked out of the court a free man this morning Friday, November 4, 2011 after an Ikeja High Court ordered his release.
The comedian had been in NDLEA custody for over three weeks, after he was apprehended enroute to France and alleged to have narcotic substances in his belly.
He was placed under watch by the NDLEA and his excreta monitored whilst his travails were the laughing stock and eventually outrage of an entire Nation where nothing apparently seems to work properly including Drug Scanning Machines.
Following the November 1, 2011 hearing that Baba Suwe would be granted bail today Friday, November 4 if he didn’t excrete the suspected substances in his system; and having met the bail conditions (one surety and the sum of N500, 000); Justice Y.O Idowu ordered the actor be released to his family at once.
Baba Suwe who arrived the court at about 8. 52 am in close company of the NDLEA officials had briefed his lead counsel Babatunde Aturu before the hearing commenced, on how the anti graft agency took him to a Hospital in Victoria Island, Lagos, on Wednesday, November 2, 2011 where series of “animalistic” tests were carried out on him.
Omidina’s lawyer, who was apparently furious about the move presented the matter before the judge with repugnance, stating neither the agency nor its counsel notified him (Aturu) or his client (Baba Suwe) before proceeding with such tests.
“They put something inside my mouth; another in my anus and they pumped water through it. Since then, I have been going to the toilet till today,” pale-looking Omidina explained to the Judge when asked to talk.
A displeased Justice Idowu, who condemned the agency’s move and described it as inhumane questioned one of the NDLEA officials who was part of the team that led Baba Suwe to the hospital. She demanded to know who ordered that the tests be carried out; and berated the agency’s counsel for claiming not to be aware of such gross steps taken by his client.
“That’s not right; you’re handling a human being not a robot,” the judge condemned.
NDLEA counsel Femi Oloruntoba however pleaded that he would ensure to get a full report of what transpired at the hospital and summit to the court before the judgment day.
Oloruntoba also requested that Baba Suwe reports to the NDLEA Muritala Muhammed International Airport office on November 11, 2011 for further investigations. The judge granted it after he promised the actor won’t be held for more than two hours.
However, Baba Suwe’s international passport was released to the court by the agency and Justice Idowu ordered it to be kept in the Chief registrar’s care until the case is terminated.
Baba Suwe shed tears as the judge announced that he should be let go to join his family for the Sallah festival.
“I wish you well. Take good care of yourself,” the judge enjoined Baba Suwe.
Speaking to journalists, Bamidele Aturu (Baba Suwe’s lawyer) says he’s pressing charges against the NDLEA for damages.
“We thank the Nigerian people for standing by Mr Omidina in the time need. Omidina was traveling out of Nigeria just like any other Nigerian citizen. He was grabbed at the airport and locked up for 24 solid days without any evidence. We’ll sue the agency for damages of course.”
However, Baba Suwe’s colleagues, friends and fans who were gathered at the court premises chanted songs of victory as his counsels led him out of the court room.
Omidina was arrested at the Muritala Muhammed International Airport on Wednesday, October 12, 2011 while attempting to depart Lagos for Paris on a 10pm scheduled Air France flight AF3051, after the NDLEA suspected he had ingested substances believed to be Cocaine.
The fans repeatedly hailed him in a dubbed name; “O Ya'gbe Ti” – meaning “the one who has refused to pass faeces.”
“Nothing I can say more than to thank almighty Allah for the victory. Let’s accept it as destiny,” Yoruba actor Adewale Elesho tells journalists.
The final judgment has been penciled for November 24, 2011.
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