In a landmark judgment, the Federal High Court in Lagos, presided over by Justice Yellim Bogoro, has sentenced four drug kingpins involved in the historic seizure of 2,139.55 kilograms of cocaine in Ikorodu, Lagos, in 2022, to a cumulative 28 years of imprisonment with hard labor. The convicts were also ordered to forfeit assets linked to their drug trafficking operations.

The convicts—Soji Jubril Oke, 71; Wasiu Akinade, 55; Emmanuel Arinze Chukwu, 67; and Kelvin Christopher Smith, 44, a Jamaican—were charged with conspiracy, operating a drug trafficking organization (DTO), and possession of cocaine in a case that began in October 2022. The trial of a fifth suspect, Oguntolure Sunday, who was arraigned alongside them, is ongoing.

The convicts were apprehended during a coordinated intelligence-led operation by operatives of the NDLEA on September 18, 2022. The raid occurred at 6 Olukuola Crescent, Solebo Estate, Ikorodu, Lagos, where over 2.1 tons of cocaine were discovered, marking the largest single seizure in the history of Nigeria’s anti-narcotic operations. Arrests were made across multiple locations in Lagos between the night of September 18 and the early hours of September 19, 2022.

Justice Bogoro handed the following sentences: Kelvin Christopher Smith: 4 years imprisonment with hard labor; Emmanuel Arinze Chukwu: 16 years imprisonment with hard labor; Soji Jubril Oke: 5 years imprisonment with hard labor; Wasiu Akinade: 3 years imprisonment with hard labor.

In addition to the jail terms, the convicts were ordered to forfeit various assets, including a Toyota Tacoma SUV registered to Emmanuel Chukwu, $50,000 in cash, and over N55 million linked to Chukwu. Over N12 million traced to Wasiu Akinade was also forfeited.

The court also granted a final forfeiture of two properties linked to the drug cartel: House at 6 Olokunola Street, Solebo Estate, Ikorodu, Lagos, used for storing the cocaine, and House at J9, Road 3, Close 1, Victoria Garden City (VGC), Lagos, acquired with proceeds of drug trafficking. The properties are to be sold, with proceeds remitted to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

The NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended the officers involved in the operation, stating that the case sends a clear message to drug cartels. “This is a historical blow to drug cartels and a warning that their investments in illicit drugs and properties acquired through criminal trade will be forfeited,” Marwa emphasized.

This case underscores Nigeria’s commitment to combating drug trafficking and dismantling criminal organizations profiting from the illicit drug trade.