- Range Rover, Toyota Venza SUVs seized
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has secured the conviction of five members of two international organised criminal groups (IOCGs) arrested in connection with the seizure of 68.9 kilograms of cocaine and tramadol at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos.
They have been sentenced to a combined 21 years’ imprisonment.
According to the Director of Media and Advocacy, Mr. Femi Babafemi, the convicts were sentenced by separate judges of the Federal High Court in Lagos after pleading guilty to multiple drug trafficking charges.
“First Syndicate: 17.9kg of Cocaine to Australia
“The first group, Olasupo Michael Oladimeji, Muaezee Ademola Ogunbiyi, and Sola Adegoke, were arrested after NDLEA operatives intercepted 17.9kg of cocaine concealed in textile materials and local charms bound for Sydney, Australia, at the airport’s export shed on August 26, 2025.
“Further investigation led to the recovery of 20.5kg of Canadian Loud (a strain of cannabis) from Ogunbiyi’s residence in Lekki and the seizure of a black Range Rover SUV (RBC 459 EJ) from Adegoke’s home in Ikeja GRA.
“The trio were arraigned on five counts (FHC/L/925C/2025) before Justice Musa Kakaki on October 30, 2025 and subsequently pleaded guilty. Justice Kakaki, on October 31, sentenced each defendant to five years’ imprisonment without the option of a fine, totaling 15 years for the group. The court also ordered the forfeiture of the Range Rover SUV and a Toyota Venza recovered during the investigation to the Federal government.
“Second Syndicate: Cocaine and Tramadol to Gabon
“In a related case, Obunike Joseph Obichukwu and Uzorchukwu Godspower Chukwurah, both leaders of another syndicate, were arrested after NDLEA officers intercepted 2.6kg of cocaine and 27.9kg of tramadol concealed in motor spare parts bound for Gabon through the Lagos airport on July 19, 2025.
“They were arraigned before Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa on six counts (FHC/L/980C/2025) on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, and pleaded guilty. The court sentenced them to three years’ imprisonment each, with an option of N2 million fine.
“Additionally, N4 million offered by Obunike as a bribe to NDLEA officers was ordered forfeited to the Federal government,” Babafemi added in a statement.
The NDLEA commended its officers for their diligence and reaffirmed its commitment to dismantling international drug trafficking networks across Nigeria.