Four drug lords bag 28 years imprisonment

• Forfeit VGC houses, N67m, $50,000
• Conviction, forfeiture, blow to illicit drug trade, says Marwa

Justice Yellim Bogoro of the Federal High Court, Lagos, has sentenced four drug kingpins arrested in connection with the historic seizure of 2,139.55 kilogrammes of cocaine at an Ikorodu residential estate in 2022 to various jail terms totalling 28 years with hard labour.

The convicts: Soji Jubril Oke, 71; Wasiu Akinade, 55; Emmanuel Arinze Chukwu, 67; and Kelvin Christopher Smith, 44, a Jamaican, were charged with six counts in charge number FHC/L/607C/2022 in October and December 2022, while the trial of the fifth suspect, Oguntolure Sunday arraigned along with them is still ongoing in court.

The charges border on conspiracy to form and operate a drug trafficking organisation (DTO); management and financing of a DTO; importation and possession of 2,139.55 kilogrammes of cocaine, among others.

Operatives of a special operations unit of NDLEA had in a well-coordinated and intelligence-led operation on Sunday, September 18, 2022, raided a house located at 6 Olukuola crescent, Solebo Estate, Ikorodu, Lagos, where the over 2.1 tons of cocaine were seized, the largest singular cocaine seizure in the history of Nigeria’s anti-narcotic operations.

The drug kingpins were picked from hotels and their hideouts in different parts of Lagos between the night of Sunday, and Monday, September 18 and 19, 2022.

After over two years of diligent prosecution, the trial judge sentenced the Jamaican, Smith to four years imprisonment with hard labour.

Chukwu got a total of 16 years; Oke, five years with hard labour, and Akinade three years with hard labour.

The trial judge, however, gave the convicts varying options of fine with the exception of one of them who will serve his full jail term without an option of fine.

The convicts were also to forfeit a grey colour Toyota Tacoma SUV marked AAA-734HT registered in the name of Chukwu; $50,000 belonging to Chukwu; N55.09 million also belonging to Chukwu; the sum of N9 million belonging to Akinade and N3.05 million, also belonging to Akinade.

The Agency in another suit marked FHC/L/MISC/672/2024, and filed before Justice Bogoro on December 9, 2024 after an initial interim forfeiture order, secured the final forfeiture of two houses linked to members of the drug cartel.

The order reads: “That an order of final forfeiture and confiscation is granted in favour of the Federal Government of Nigeria, Landed Property/House at No 6 Olokunola Street, Sholebo Estate, Ikorodu Lagos, as contained in Exhibit NDLEA 2A, 2B, and 2C attached to this application used for the storage and concealment of 2,139.55kg cocaine, an illicit substance similar to heroin and Loud.

“That an order of final forfeiture and confiscation is granted in favour of the Federal Government of Nigeria, landed property/House Number J9, Road 3, Close 1, Victoria Garden City (VGC) Estate, Lagos, as contained in Exhibit NDLEA 3 attached to this application reasonably believed to be bought with proceeds derived from trafficking in illicit drug substances (proceeds of crime) as in relief 1 of this motion.

“That an order is granted directing the sale or disposal by any other means provided by law of the forfeited house/landed property by the applicant and the payment of the proceeds herefrom to the Federal Government of Nigeria.”

MEANWHILE, Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (Rtd) has commended all the officers and men of the Agency involved in the extensive investigation and prosecution of members of the drug cartel.

He said the case is a historical blow to the drug cartels and a strong warning that they’ll not only go to jail but will equally lose all their investments in illicit drug consignments, including all the properties and wealth acquired through the criminal trade.