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Judge seeks further information from Italian authorities over alleged cocaine importer

Summary

The High Court has requested further information from Italian authorities regarding Aisha Ahmed (49), AKA Gloria Anwulika Aro (47), a mother-of-six suspected of being a drug importer in Italy, who faces a 20-year prison sentence imposed in her absence. Ahmed was arrested in Dublin 24 last year under a European Arrest Warrant issued by Italian authorities, which alleges she was the 'promoter, leader and organiser' of an association that imported, sold, distributed and traded 'remarkable quantities' of cocaine in Italy between September 1999 and June 2000. Her separated husband, Yemi Moshood Olatunde (47), AKA Roy Yemmy Andrew Aro, was also arrested in October. Olatunde AKA Aro, a taxi driver until he went into custody last year, was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment in Italy because he allegedly associated with other persons in order to commit offences concerning the purchase, transfer, distribution, trade and unlawful possession of large quantities of cocaine. Extradition proceedings involving Olatunde are still ongoing. Ms Justice Aileen Donnelly sought further information from the Italian judicial authorities concerning Ahmed's awareness of certain judicial procedural matters at certain times. The formal questions could not be agreed between lawyers for Ahmed and for the Minister for Justice and will be formalised before the court tomorrow. Counsel for Ahmed, John Noonan Bl, submitted that his client had not been made aware of an alleged scheduled trial. The question was whether she had actual notice of a scheduled trial, Mr Noonan said, and 'it appeared she did not have notice'. Notice was served on her defence lawyer and that fell short of the requirements for extradition, Mr Noonan said. Ahmed had dealt with lawyers initially while she was in custody for 10 days, Mr Noonan said, but swore she did not give a mandate to lawyers. Once she was released from custody in Italy, she came to Ireland and had no further dealings with the lawyer, Mr Noonan said. Ms Ahmed was 'a fugitive' in the words of the Italians, counsel for the Justice Minister, Anne-Marie Lawlor said. Ahmed had been charged 'with the contents of wiretapping' and was fully aware there were proceedings in being against her. She then 'fled the country'. Ms Lawlor reminded the judge that Ahmed had previously pursued an argument that she was not Ahmed and had 'lied to the court'. She was now asking the court to believe, contrary to everything the Italians were saying, her instructions to lawyers ended in circumstances where she believed she was free to walk away from Italy, Ms Lawlor said. Questions regarding Ahmed's knowledge at certain times during the process will be formalised before the High Court tomorrow.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Judge seeks further information from Italian authorities over alleged cocaine importer. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• September 1999 Incident
• June 2000 Incident
• December 1967 Incident
• 2015-10-05 Publication

Why: Mr Olatunde AKA Aro, a taxi driver until he went into custody last year, was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment in Italy because he allegedly associated with other persons in order to commit offences concerning the purchase, transfer, distribution, trade and unlawful possession of large quantities of cocaine. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Drugs Stage Sentence

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Read the original CNI report