Five members of two international drug trafficking syndicates have been sentenced to a combined 21 years in prison following their conviction for trafficking cocaine and opioids through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.
The convicts, arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), were linked to the interception of 68.9 kilograms of cocaine and tramadol bound for Australia and Gabon.
In the first case, Olasupo Michael Oladimeji, Muaezee Ademola Ogunbiyi, and Sola Adegoke — identified as leaders of one of the cartels — were apprehended after NDLEA officers discovered 17.9 kilograms of cocaine concealed in textile materials and local charms destined for Sydney, Australia, on August 26, 2025.
Subsequent investigations led to the recovery of 20.5 kilograms of Canadian Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, from Ogunbiyi’s Lekki residence, and a Range Rover SUV (RBC 459 EJ) from Adegoke’s home in Ikeja GRA.
The trio were charged before Justice Musa Kakaki of the Federal High Court, Lagos, on five counts under charge number FHC/L/925C/2025. They pleaded guilty and were each sentenced to five years imprisonment without an option of fine, totaling 15 years collectively.
Justice Kakaki also ordered the forfeiture of the Range Rover SUV and a Toyota Venza seized during the investigation to the Federal Government.
In a separate case, Obunike Joseph Obichukwu and Uzorchukwu Godspower Chukwurah, leaders of another trafficking ring, were convicted for attempting to export 2.6 kilograms of cocaine and 27.9 kilograms of tramadol concealed in motor spare parts to Gabon on July 19, 2025.
Both men were arraigned before Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa of the Federal High Court, Lagos, on six counts (charge number FHC/L/980C/2025) and pleaded guilty. They were each sentenced to three years imprisonment or a fine of ₦2 million.
The court further ordered the forfeiture of ₦4 million, which Obunike had offered as a bribe to NDLEA officers, to the Federal Government.
NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, confirmed the convictions in a statement on Friday, reaffirming the Agency’s resolve to dismantle international drug networks operating within and beyond Nigeria’s borders.
About The Author
