By Nkechi Eze
In a major victory against transnational narcotics syndicates, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has secured the conviction of five members of international organized criminal groups involved in cocaine, tramadol, and cannabis trafficking through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos. The convicted traffickers, who were found guilty of attempting to export illicit drugs to Australia and Gabon, have been sentenced to a total of 21 years imprisonment, with several luxury vehicles and millions of naira ordered forfeited to the Federal Government.
According to an official statement signed by the Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Femi Babafemi, the agency’s operatives had, through sustained intelligence-led operations, dismantled two major international drug cartels responsible for trafficking large consignments of illicit substances concealed in textile materials, local charms, and motor spare parts.
The first syndicate, led by Olasupo Michael Oladimeji, Muaezee Ademola Ogunbiyi, and Sola Adegoke, was apprehended following the interception of 17.9 kilograms of cocaine concealed in textile materials and fetish charms bound for Sydney, Australia, at the MMIA export shed on 26th August 2025. Further investigations led to the discovery of 20.5 kilograms of Canadian Loud—a potent strain of cannabis—at Ogunbiyi’s residence in Lekki, as well as the recovery of a black Range Rover SUV (RBC 459 EJ) from Adegoke’s home in Ikeja GRA.
The trio were arraigned on a five-count charge (No. FHC/L/925C/2025) before Justice Musa Kakaki of the Federal High Court, Lagos, on 30th October 2025, where they pleaded guilty to all charges. Delivering judgment on 31st October 2025, Justice Kakaki sentenced each of them to five years imprisonment without the option of a fine, amounting to a combined 15-year jail term. The court also ordered the forfeiture of the Range Rover SUV and a Toyota Venza car seized during the investigation to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
In a related development, NDLEA operatives also dismantled another syndicate attempting to smuggle hard drugs to Gabon. The second cartel, coordinated by Obunike Joseph Obichukwu and Uzorchukwu Godspower Chukwurah, was nabbed following the seizure of 2.60 kilograms of cocaine and 27.90 kilograms of tramadol cleverly concealed in motor spare parts at the Lagos airport on 19th July 2025.
Upon conclusion of investigations, both suspects were arraigned before Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa of the Federal High Court, Lagos, under charge number FHC/L/980C/2025, on six counts of drug trafficking. During their arraignment on Tuesday, 4th November 2025, they pleaded guilty to the offences. After a review of the facts of the case, the court convicted and sentenced them to three years imprisonment each, with an option of N2 million fine in lieu of jail. Additionally, the N4 million bribe offered by Obunike to NDLEA officers in a failed attempt to compromise the investigation was ordered forfeited to the Federal Government.
The NDLEA described the convictions as a clear message that the agency, under the leadership of Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), remains unyielding in its pursuit of drug barons, couriers, and financiers who exploit international routes to perpetuate the illicit trade. The agency reiterated that it would continue to ensure that offenders, regardless of influence or network, face the full weight of the law.
With these latest convictions, the NDLEA reaffirmed its unwavering resolve to sustain the fight against organized drug trafficking networks, both locally and internationally, as part of Nigeria’s broader efforts to safeguard public health, national security, and global credibility in the war against narcotics.
