The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has secured a total of 21 years imprisonment for five kingpins of international drug cartels, following the interception of cocaine and opioid consignments bound for Australia and Gabon .
The convictions stem from two major operations at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos. In the first case, three cartel leaders—Olasupo Michael Oladimeji, Muaezee Ademola Ogunbiyi, and Sola Adegoke—were arrested after 17.9kg of cocaine, concealed in textile materials and local charms, was intercepted en route to Sydney, Australia . Investigations led to the recovery of 20.5kg of Canadian Loud cannabis from Ogunbiyi’s Lekki residence and a black Range Rover SUV from Adegoke’s home .
The trio pleaded guilty before Justice Musa Kakaki of the Federal High Court, Lagos, and were each sentenced to five years imprisonment without an option of fine. The court also ordered the forfeiture of the Range Rover and a Toyota Venza to the Federal Government .
In a related case, two other cartel coordinators—Obunike Joseph Obichukwu and Uzorchukwu Godspower Chukwurah—were arrested over a shipment containing 2.60kg of cocaine and 27.90kg of tramadol hidden in motor spare parts destined for Gabon . After pleading guilty, Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa sentenced them to three years imprisonment each, with an option of a ₦2 million fine. The ₦4 million bribe Obunike offered NDLEA operatives was forfeited to the government .
Disclaimer: This report is based on official NDLEA statements and court proceedings. CDA News Media Ltd. is not responsible for any legal implications arising from this content.
