…as Marwa asserts convictions signal end of drug empire era
By Nkechi Eze
Two notorious drug barons, Ajetsibo Emami (also known as “Warri Kinsman”) and Solomon Akpomuai, have been convicted and sentenced to a combined 10 years imprisonment by the Federal High Court in Lagos, a significant milestone in Nigeria’s ongoing fight against illicit drug trafficking.
In a statement issued by the NDLEA Director of Media & Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, the agency confirmed that Emami, 37, was arrested in Ikeja, Lagos on 28 June 2025 after a three-day special operation dismantled his drug trafficking syndicate. The operation also led to the arrest of three members of his network and the recovery of 24 jumbo bags containing 681 pouches of Canadian Loud, a potent strain of cannabis weighing 414.2 kilograms.
According to the NDLEA, the breakthrough followed credible intelligence indicating that the shipment was due to be moved to Lekki for onward distribution to other parts of Lagos and the country. He was subsequently arraigned before Justice Deinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court 8, Lagos, in charge number FHC/L/636C/2025 on one count of dealing in illicit drugs. Delivering judgement on Monday, 18 August 2025, Justice Dipeolu convicted Emami and sentenced him to six years imprisonment with an option of a N50 million fine.
In a separate case, 51-year-old Solomon Akpomuai was initially intercepted by operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service along the Shagamu–Ijebu-Ode expressway with 2,197.8 kilograms of “skunk,” a potent form of cannabis. He was transferred to the NDLEA on 16 June 2025 and arraigned in charge number FHC/L/635C on trafficking related offences. Justice Dipeolu convicted and sentenced him to four years imprisonment, also with an option of a N50 million fine.
Reacting to the development, the Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), described the conviction of both drug traffickers as a clear sign that the agency’s balanced strategy of drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction is working. He stressed that such positive outcomes demonstrate that the menace of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in Nigeria will soon be defeated.
Marwa thanked the judiciary, NDLEA investigators and prosecutors, and all other stakeholders for their dedication to achieving a drug-free nation.
