The Nationwide Drug Legislation 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 Courtroom 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.
In accordance with 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 kind 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 carried out 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 numerous hideouts and accommodations throughout Lagos,” Babafemi mentioned.
Convictions and sentences
Following over two years of diligent prosecution, Justice Yellim Bogoro of the Federal Excessive Courtroom in Lagos handed down the next sentences:
- Kelvin Christopher Smith: 4 years with exhausting labor.
- Emmanuel Arinze Chukwu: 16 years with exhausting labor.
- Soji Jubril Oke: 5 years with exhausting labor.
- Wasiu Akinade: 3 years with exhausting labor.
The courtroom additionally supplied various fines to a few of the convicts, whereas one was sentenced to serve the complete sentence with out the choice of a positive.
Moreover, the convicts have been ordered to forfeit a number of property, together with:
A gray Toyota Tacoma SUV (Registration Quantity AAA-734HT) registered to Emmanuel Chukwu.
- $50,000 USD owned by Emmanuel Chukwu.
- N55,099,509.50 in Chukwu’s account.
- N9,003,168.06 linked to Wasiu Akinade.
- N3,052,295.20 related to Akinade.
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.
In accordance with the trial courtroom: “An Order of ultimate forfeiture and confiscation is granted in favour of the Federal Authorities of Nigeria, Landed Property/Home Quantity 6 Olokunola Road, 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, Highway 3, Shut 1, Victoria Backyard Metropolis (VGC) Property, Lagos State, as detailed in Exhibit NDLEA 3. This property within reason believed to have been bought with proceeds derived from trafficking in illicit medicine (proceeds of crime), as said in Aid 1 of this Movement.
“An Order is granted directing the sale or disposal by another means offered by regulation of the forfeited Home/Landed Property by the Applicant and the cost of the proceeds therefrom to the Federal Authorities of Nigeria.”
NDLEA commendations
NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), recommended 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 won’t solely go to jail but in addition lose all their investments and property acquired by their legal commerce,” he emphasised.
Babafemi concluded, “This landmark seizure and prosecution exhibit NDLEA’s dedication to eradicating drug trafficking and making certain justice is served.”
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