EX-NDLEA COMMANDER CHARGED WITH AIDING DRUG BARONS

Lagos -- Former commander in the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA),
Mr Abdullahi Bayawo, will today be arraigned at the Federal High
Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, on a six-count charge of aiding and abetting and
unlawful removal of drug exhibits from the Agency's custody.

According to Mitchell Ofoyeju, image maker of NDLEA, Bayawo was
arrested on November 28, 2007, "based on overwhelming evidence on the
case against him."

Bayawo, who was the former Commander at the Nnamdi Azikiwe
International Airport (NAIA), Abuja, between 2001 and 2005, will face
three-count charge of aiding three drug traffickers, Mrs Madu Janet,
Nonyerem, aka Magdalene Nwoye, Tarka Lara and Olusegun Abdullazeez, to
escape lawful custody, contrary to and punishable under Section 10f
(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Amendment Act NO.15 of
1992.

"He will also stand trial over unlawful removal of drug exhibits
seized from the three drug traffickers, contrary to and punishable
under Section 10E of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act No.
15 of 1992, in line with the Agency's policy of promoting good ethical
conduct.