In a landmark judgment, the Federal High Court in Lagos, presided over by Justice Yellim Bogoro, has convicted four drug kingpins involved in Nigeria’s largest-ever cocaine seizure.
The convicts were sentenced to a combined 28 years of imprisonment with hard labor.
The convicted individuals, Soji Jubril Oke (71), Wasiu Akinade (55), Emmanuel Arinze Chukwu (67), and Kelvin Christopher Smith (44), a Jamaican, were apprehended in connection with the 2022 seizure of 2,139.55 kilograms of cocaine. The massive haul, valued at billions of naira, was discovered in a house at 6 Olokunola Crescent, Solebo Estate, Ikorodu, Lagos, during a coordinated raid by the NDLEA on September 18, 2022.
The convicts faced six charges under case number FHC/L/607C/2022, including conspiracy, operating a drug trafficking organization (DTO), and possession of the illicit substance.
Kelvin Christopher Smith received four years imprisonment.
Emmanuel Arinze Chukwu was handed a cumulative 16-year sentence.
Soji Jubril Oke received five years imprisonment.
Wasiu Akinade was sentenced to three years.
While the court allowed options of fines for some of the convicts, one of them must serve their full jail term.
Justice Bogoro also granted the Federal Government the final forfeiture of assets linked to the cartel. These include:
Two properties: the Ikorodu residence where the cocaine was stored and a house in Victoria Garden City (VGC), Lagos.
A Toyota Tacoma SUV.
Cash amounts in naira and dollars totaling over ₦67 million and $50,000.
The court ordered the sale of the forfeited properties, with proceeds directed to the Federal Government.
Chairman of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), described the case as a historic blow to drug cartels. “This conviction sends a strong message to drug traffickers: their investments in illicit drugs will be lost, and they will face justice,” he said.
The trial of the fifth suspect, Oguntolure Sunday, who was arraigned alongside the convicts, remains ongoing.
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By Fikunmi Sokoya