The Nationwide Drug Legislation Enforcement Company (NDLEA) has secured the conviction of 10 Thai sailors and their vessel, MV Chayanee Naree, over the smuggling of 32.9 kilograms of cocaine into Nigeria via the Apapa seaport in Lagos.
Delivering judgment on the Federal Excessive Court docket in Lagos, Justice Daniel Osiagor imposed a complete positive of $4.36 million on the vessel and its crew.
The illicit drug was smuggled from Brazil into Nigeria via the Apapa seaport in Lagos.
In response to an announcement issued on Thursday in Abuja by the Director of Media and Advocacy on the Nationwide Drug Legislation Enforcement Company (NDLEA), Femi Babafemi, the conviction adopted over three years of diligent prosecution by the company.
He stated the convicted sailors, all nationals of Thailand, have been first arraigned earlier than the court docket in February 2022, alongside 9 Nigerian suspects, by the NDLEA on costs bordering on conspiracy and the illegal transportation of a bootleg drug consignment from Brazil to Nigeria.
He named the Thai nationals as Krilerk Tanakhan, Boonlert Hansoongnern, Jakkarin Booncharoen, Thammarong Put-tlek, Worrapat Paopinta, Marut Kantaprom, Werapat Somboonying, Urkit Amsri, Panudet Jaisuk, and Amrat Thawom.
He additionally stated that the vessel, the convicted sailors, and the 9 Nigerians have been arrested on October 13, 2021, on the Apapa port in Lagos.
Babafemi named the Nigerian suspects as Samuel Messiah, Ishaya Maisamari, Ilesanmi Ayo Abbey, Osabeye Stephen, Gbenga Ogunfadeke, Kayode Buletiri, Rilwan Omotosho Liasu, Saidi Sule Alani, and Jamiu Adewale Yusuf.
“They have been all subsequently charged in court docket over the unlawful acts.
“This, through which NDLEA prosecutors argued contravened sections 11(a), 11 (b), and 14 (b) of the NDLEA Act Cap N30 Legal guidelines of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and punishable below the identical Act.
“The convicted sailors had initially made a no-case submission, which was dismissed following submissions by the prosecution {that a} prima facie case had been established in opposition to the vessel and its crew members.
“Consequently, the trial decide ordered the convicted Thai sailors and others to open their defence on the fees in opposition to them,” he stated.
Following the court docket ruling, Babafemi stated that the convicted sailors opted for a plea cut price settlement with the NDLEA, and because of this, Justice Osiagor delivered his ruling on the resumed listening to of the matter on Thursday, Might 15, 2025.
“Amongst different penalties, the decide convicted the Vessel MV Chayanee Naree for illegal transportation of 32.9kg of cocaine into Nigeria and ordered it to pay a positive of $4 million or its Naira equal.
“The 2nd – eleventh defendants have been convicted below part 25 of the NDLEA Act for allowing the usage of the vessel for the illegal transportation of 32.9kg of cocaine.
“The 2nd, third, and 4th defendants have been ordered to pay N100,000.00 every as punishment for the offence and as well as restitution within the sum of $50,000 USD every or its equal in Naira to the Federal Authorities of Nigeria.
“The fifth – eleventh defendants are to pay N100,000.00 every and restitution within the sum of $30,000.00, bringing the overall quantity payable to $4,360,000.00.
“Justice Osiagor thereafter adjourned the trial of the 9 Nigerian suspects to June 25,” he stated.
Babafemi stated that the prosecution was led by the Company’s Director of Prosecution and Authorized Providers, DCGN Theresa Asuquo, supported by A. Adebayo and Paul Awogbuyi.
He added that the defence staff was led by the trio of Messrs Babajide Koku, Femi Atoyebi, and Tunde Adejuyigbe, all Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN).
In his response, the NDLEA Chairman, retired Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa stated the court docket ruling was a robust message to the worldwide drug cartel and their native collaborators.
This, he stated, would make them know that Nigeria would by no means be a secure hub for illicit drug trafficking.
Marwa recommended the NDLEA prosecution staff and officers of the Apapa Strategic Command concerned within the arrest, seizure, and investigation of the cargo for his or her diligence and resilience in following the case to a logical conclusion.
The NDLEA boss charged them to not relent in pursuing the opposite a part of the case nonetheless pending.
