Drug trafficking: Court rules on Lagos socialite’s no-case submission April 7

Justice Deinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court has set April 7 for a ruling on the no-case submission filed by Lagos socialite, Mrs Funmilola Arike Ogbuaya, also known as Ariket, who is facing charges of drug trafficking.

The ruling date follows the adoption of final written addresses by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and Ogbuaya’s legal counsel. Ogbuaya, alongside co-defendant Odeyemi Omolola, was re-arraigned in 2024 on drug trafficking charges. Omolola is currently serving a 25-year prison sentence for the crime.

The duo, who also use the names Funmilola Ogundipe and Ariyo Monsurat Olabisi, were re-arraigned before Justice Dipeolu on a four-count charge that included conspiracy, unlawful possession, aiding and abetting, and attempting to smuggle 1.595 kilogrammes of cocaine to Saudi Arabia.

Initially, the two were arraigned in 2017 before Justice Hadizat Rabiu-Shagari on five counts, including conspiracy, unlawful possession of banned drugs, and attempting to export the illicit substance to Saudi Arabia. Ariket faced charges of conspiracy, aiding and abetting, and procuring the convict for trafficking the drugs.

During the trial, Omolola, known as Olabisi, expressed her intention for a plea bargain, which the court granted. She pleaded guilty to the charges of attempting to illegally export the cocaine and was subsequently sentenced to 25 years in prison.

Dissatisfied with the conviction, Omolola appealed the judgment, but the appeal was dismissed by a three-judge panel led by Justice Ebiowei Tobi on February 26, 2021, for lack of merit.

Nine years after their initial arraignment, Ogbuaya and Omolola were re-arraigned on the same charges. Omolola pleaded guilty, but Ogbuaya again denied all allegations. Following this, the prosecutor requested a short adjournment to present evidence against the socialite, while Ogbuaya’s lawyer, Yakubu Galadima, filed a bail application, requesting her release pending further proceedings.