The Nationwide Drug Regulation Enforcement Company (NDLEA) seized 2,139.55 kilograms of cocaine and arrested 4 drug lords, forfeited VGC properties, N67million, and $50,000 throughout a 2022 operation at a residential property in Ikorodu, Lagos.
Following the operation, the Federal Excessive Court docket in Lagos, presided over by Justice Yellim Bogoro, subsequently sentenced them to varied jail phrases totalling twenty-eight (28) years with exhausting labour and ordered the forfeiture of luxurious properties and hundreds of thousands in money tied to their illicit actions.
Based on Femi Babafemi, NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, the convicts—71-year-old Soji Jubril Oke, 55-year-old Wasiu Akinade, 67-year-old Emmanuel Arinze Chukwu, and 44-year-old Jamaican nationwide Kelvin Christopher Smith, confronted six counts in cost quantity: FHC/L/607C/2022 in October and December 2022.
“The trial of a fifth suspect, Oguntolure Sunday, is ongoing and the costs border on conspiracy to type and function a drug trafficking group (DTO); administration and financing of a DTO; importation and possession of two,139.55 kilograms of cocaine, amongst others,” Babafemi defined.
The operation
On Sunday, September 18, 2022, NDLEA operatives performed an intelligence-led raid on 6 Olukuola Crescent, Solebo Property, Ikorodu, seizing the cocaine—the biggest singular seizure in Nigeria’s historical past.
“Between the night time of September 18 and the morning of September 19, the cartel leaders have been apprehended at varied hideouts and inns throughout Lagos,” Babafemi mentioned.
Following over two years of diligent prosecution, Justice Yellim Bogoro of the Federal Excessive Court docket in Lagos handed down the next sentences:
The court docket additionally provided various fines to a few of the convicts, whereas one was sentenced to serve the total sentence with out the choice of a fantastic.
Moreover, the convicts have been ordered to forfeit a number of belongings, together with:
A gray Toyota Tacoma SUV (Registration Quantity AAA-734HT) registered to Emmanuel Chukwu.
The Company additionally in one other swimsuit marked FHC/L/MISC/672/2024 and filed earlier than Justice Bogoro on ninth December 2024 after an preliminary interim forfeiture order, secured the ultimate forfeiture of two homes linked to members of the drug cartel.
Based on the trial court docket: “An Order of ultimate forfeiture and confiscation is granted in favour of the Federal Authorities of Nigeria, Landed Property/Home Quantity 6 Olokunola Avenue, Sholebo Property, Ikorodu Lagos, Lagos State, as contained in Exhibit NDLEA 2A, 2B, and 2C hooked up to this software used for the storage and concealment of two,139.55kg (Extra Than Two Tons) Cocaine, a bootleg substance much like Heroin and LSD.
“An Order of ultimate forfeiture and confiscation is granted in favour of the Federal Authorities of Nigeria for the landed property at Home Quantity J9, Street 3, Shut 1, Victoria Backyard Metropolis (VGC) Property, Lagos State, as detailed in Exhibit NDLEA 3. This property in all fairness believed to have been bought with proceeds derived from trafficking in illicit medication (proceeds of crime), as said in Reduction 1 of this Movement.
“An Order is granted directing the sale or disposal by some other means offered by regulation of the forfeited Home/Landed Property by the Applicant and the fee of the proceeds therefrom to the Federal Authorities of Nigeria.”
NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), counseled the company’s officers for his or her relentless efforts in dismantling the cartel.
“This case is a historic blow to drug cartels. It sends a robust warning that traffickers is not going to solely go to jail but in addition lose all their investments and belongings acquired via their felony commerce,” he emphasised.
Babafemi concluded, “This landmark seizure and prosecution show NDLEA’s dedication to eradicating drug trafficking and making certain justice is served.”
