Prominent anti-drug ambassador and community leader, Chief Abiodun Lasile has urged global policymakers to fundamentally shift their approach toward proactive community education.

This was contained in a statement released on Friday, against the backdrop of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

This year’s global campaign is themed “The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention” and carries the direct rallying cry “Break the Cycle.”

Global leaders and communities are uniting to observe World Drug Day 2026 under a newly issued directive to heavily fund early intervention strategies rather than relying solely on law enforcement.

Chief Lasile, who is the Orunto Baalufe of Owu Kingdom, emphasized that pouring resources into youth development, mental health services, and family support systems is vastly more cost-effective and successful than attempting to treat addiction after it takes root.

“The evidence is indeed clear. Prevention is not only less costly than treatment—it is more effective. Every investment in education, family support, youth development, mental health services, and community awareness reduces the risk of substance abuse and strengthens the resilience of society.”

The traditional leader warned that illicit trafficking networks actively exploit vulnerable populations, destabilizing cross-border economies and fracturing the rule of law when local communities lack resilience.

While praising security agencies for directly confronting organized crime syndicates, Orunto Lasile noted that enforcement cannot succeed without simultaneously dismantling the social vulnerabilities that drive demand.

“As an Ambassador of WADA, I believe our response must extend beyond enforcement alone. While law enforcement agencies deserve our support for confronting traffickers and criminal syndicates, we must also tackle the social conditions that make individuals vulnerable to addiction. Prevention must become our first and strongest line of defence.”

The address uniquely highlighted the power of cultural institutions, calling on traditional and faith leaders to utilize long-standing community values to teach discipline and insulate the younger generation from exploitation.

Addressing parents and guardians directly, the ambassador stressed that consistent, approachable parental guidance serves as one of the single most effective shields against early substance abuse.

The global appeal concluded with a strong demand for governments to completely replace societal stigma and exclusion with robust rehabilitation access, mental health infrastructure, and economic empowerment.

Counsel to Dr. Samuel Obinna Ojogbo, the University of Lagos (UNILAG) lecturer accused of raping a 20-year-old student, Finyinfoluwa Owonifari, has closed his cross-examination of the complainant following a grueling session aimed at testing the credibility of her claims.

​The defense lead counsel, Bidemi Ademola-Bello (SAN), informed the court that having exhausted all lines of questioning, thoroughly reviewed the submitted evidence, and meticulously probed the complainant’s allegations, the defense was satisfied to bring its cross-examination to a formal close.

​The high-stakes proceedings, presided over by Justice Ogala, witnessed intense legal sparring as the defense sought to establish inconsistencies in the victim’s testimony.

​A major flashpoint during the session occurred when Ademola-Bello (SAN) confronted the complainant with forensic data retrieved from her mobile device. The defense counsel heavily interrogated her regarding her relationship with an individual identified in her contacts list as “Olive.”

​The defense pointed out that the name “Olive” was saved on the complainant’s phone flanked by two heart emojis, a distinct formatting choice identical to how she had stored her own mother’s contact name.

​When pressed by the defense to explain the nature of this relationship, the complainant vehemently denied being close friends with Olive, maintaining that the contact details and accompanying emojis did not carry the sentimental weight or close intimacy implied by the defense.

Ademola-Bello, however, argued that the digital labeling suggested a level of familiarity that contrasted with her earlier assertions regarding her social circle and interactions during the period of the alleged incident.

​Earlier in the proceedings, the defense moved to tie up loose ends regarding the academic background surrounding the case. A key piece of documentary evidence, the official examination scoresheet of the complainant was formally presented to the court.

​The document, which had been subpoenaed by the court from the UNILAG management, was brought in by a university representative, Dr. Abubakar. Upon presentation, the scoresheet was shown to the complainant, who certified the document under oath as her true and accurate examination sheet for the specific course administered by the defendant.

The admission of the academic record marks a critical structural component of the defense’s framework as the trial progresses.

​With the defense wrapping up its intense scrutiny of the alleged victim’s testimony, the trial is set to transition into its next crucial phase.

​Justice Ogala of the Lagos High Court subsequently adjourned the matter until June 24 and 29, 2026, when the prosecution is expected to formally open its substantive case, calling its witnesses and presenting primary evidence to establish the criminal liability of the embattled lecturer.

Counsel to Dr. Samuel Obinna Ojogbo, a lecturer at University of Lagos accused of raping a 20-year-old student, Finyinfoluwa Owonifari, Bidemi Ademola-Bello (SAN), has accused the alleged victim of falsely implicating his client.

Ademola-Bello made the allegation during the cross-examination of the complainant at the Lagos State High Court on Monday.

During the proceedings, the defence counsel argued that inconsistencies in the witness’s testimony suggested that the allegations were fabricated to tarnish his client’s reputation.

The counsel also questioned why the complainant allegedly destroyed a key piece of evidence in the case, adding that some of her responses contradicted her earlier statements.

When asked to identify a photograph of the alleged crime scene, the witness said she could not recognise it, although she claimed the office had no window.

The senior advocate further questioned her about statements she made at the Gender Unit of the Lagos State Police Command, which she confirmed making on September 2, 2025. She also acknowledged making two separate statements at the Bariga Police Station on August 28, 2025.

The statements were tendered before the court and admitted as exhibits without objection from the prosecution.

The defence also questioned the complainant about the clothes she wore on the day of the alleged incident, asking whether she had earlier told the police she wore black trousers and a short-sleeved multicoloured shirt on August 28.

She explained that when she visited the medical centre on August 22, 2025, the doctor only conducted a swab test and prescribed medication without carrying out further examinations.

The witness stated that she reported the incident to Dr. Abu, who subsequently contacted her uncle, adding that she reached out to him because he was a lecturer in her department.

When asked whether she had any personal relationship with Dr. Abu, she replied in the negative.

Meanwhile, she had previous phone conversations with Dr Abu earlier on that day as revealed by the call log she provided to the police despite testifying that she had only called Dr Abu for the first time when she reported the incident.

When asked how she got Dr Abu’s phone number, she said that the number was provided in class to everyone

Justice Ogala subsequently adjourned the matter until May 25 for further proceedings.