Actors Plan Mass Protest Over Continuous Detention Of Baba Suwe For Drug Trafficking

Nigerian actors under the umbrella of the Association of Nigeria Theatre Arts Practitioners are currently putting arrangements in place to stage a mass protest over the continuing detention of Popular Actor, Babatunde Omidina widely addressed as Babasuwe.

The celebrated comedian was arrested on allegations of drug trafficking by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency on Wednesday, October 12 2011.

He was reportedly on his way to france- in the night- when the Anti- drug agency’s scanner indicated that he was smuggling drug. He was promptly arrested and thrown into detention.
Baba Suwe
But since he is yet to excrete any drugs of sort according to information released by the agency- this is despite confirmation that he had provided exctreta for the agency to ‘finger’ thrice.

The NDLEA according to a release issued by its media personnel, Mitchelle Ofoyeju hinged the comic act’s continuous detention on claims that ‘there is reasonable ground for suspicion’ and that it is normal for the agency to hold on to suspects for prolonged period of time. The agency claimed that it sometimes take a week or more before some detainees excrete the suspected hard drugs

It is not clear at present what section of the constitution empowers the agency to ‘determine the duration of a suspect’s detention contrary to the provision in it’

On Sunday, October 16 2011, the ANTP leadership circulated a message among it members reproduced below.

‘This is the 4th day of Baba Suwe in NDLEA custody without anything found on him. NOW is time for us to talk. They owe us explanations as we have to act now. Be prepared for a massive rally. Expect further information on this soon, pass this message to others 4RM Prince Jide Kosoko’

The move is aimed at championing a growing agitation for the release of the suspect.

It is however instructive to note that prior to his arrest- Babasuwe had been severally rumoured to be involved in the drug trade.