Court jails four drug kingpins to 28 years imprisonment with hard labour
Justice Yellim Bogoro-led Federal High Court in Lagos has sentenced no fewer than four drug lords linked to Nigeria’s largest-ever cocaine seizure of 2.1 tons in Ikorodu, Lagos, to a combined 28 years imprisonment with hard labour.
The convicts include Soji Jubril Oke (71) — 5 years imprisonment with hard labour
Wasiu Akinade (55) — 3 years imprisonment with hard labour
Emmanuel Arinze Chukwu (67) — 16 years imprisonment
Kelvin Christopher Smith (44, Jamaican) — 4 years imprisonment with hard labour
The court also ordered the forfeiture of assets linked to the convicts, including:
A Toyota Tacoma SUV, $50,000, ₦55,099,509.50, ₦9,003,168.06, ₦3,052,295.20
Additionally, two properties—House Number 6 Olokunola Street, Solebo Estate, Ikorodu, and House Number J9, Road 3, Close 1, Victoria Garden City (VGC), Lagos—were confiscated.
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It would be recalled that the operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) had on September 18, 2022, raided a property at 6 Olokunola Crescent, Solebo Estate, Ikorodu, seizing 2,139.55kg of cocaine in an intelligence-led operation. The convicts were arrested in various hideouts across Lagos.
Justice Bogoro emphasised that the properties were acquired using proceeds from drug trafficking and ruled that they be sold, with the proceeds remitted to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The Chairman of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) hailed the investigation and prosecution teams, calling the convictions and asset forfeitures a historic victory against drug cartels.
“This case serves as a stern warning to drug traffickers—they will not only face jail terms but also forfeit their ill-gotten wealth and properties acquired through criminal enterprises,” Marwa said.
This ruling marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s fight against illicit drug trafficking, underscoring the commitment of law enforcement agencies to dismantle drug syndicates and seize their proceeds of crime.
Source: Vanguard newspaper
