Bolton uni graduate is arrested in Lagos for drugs - The Voice Online

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ARRESTED: John Arinze

A BOLTON University graduate has been arrested in Lagos for being in possession of 2.1kg of methamphetamine.

John Arinze, 30, a career counsellor who claims to be an ambassador at the university, was about to board a plane from Lagos to London when he was arrested by the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

The NDLEA Airport Commander Hamza Umar, confirmed the arrest which was made during the outward screening of passengers on a Virgin Atlantic flight to London at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.

Umar, told local reporters in Nigeria: "Four parcels containing substances that tested positive for methamphetamine were found carefully hidden inside Arinze's luggage.

"Officers had to cut open the sides of the bag to recover the parcels of drugs. On interrogation as to the purposes of his travel, the suspect claimed he had an interview in London."

Arinze who has a Masters degree in international business from Bolton University and has lived in the town for three years, said: "I came to Nigeria in June as an alumni ambassador of my university.

"Work was at advanced stage for an exhibition in Onitsha with parents and prospective candidates, who are interested in furthering their education in the United Kingdom.

"In the process, I got an interview request in London which I had wanted to quickly attend and then return to Nigeria. A friend who assisted me in buying my ticket gave me the bag to use for my trip."

He added: "It was inside the bag that the parcels of drug were found. I truly regret the incident and will like my friends, relatives and business partners to please understand my situation."

The chairman of NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade, described Arinze's excuse as disappointing.

He said: "It is sad and disappointing that the suspect could yield to the demand to traffic drugs considering his academic background and profession as a career counsellor."