By Chimezie Godfrey
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has secured the conviction of five members of international drug cartels involved in the trafficking of 68.9 kilograms of cocaine and tramadol through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos.
According to Femi Babafemi, Director, Media & Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, “these convictions reaffirm the agency’s determination to dismantle international drug networks and ensure offenders face the full weight of the law.
”The convicts, Olasupo Michael Oladimeji, Muaezee Ademola Ogunbiyi, and Sola Adegoke, were arrested after NDLEA operatives intercepted 17.9 kilograms of cocaine concealed in textile materials and local charms bound for Sydney, Australia, at the export shed of the Lagos airport on August 26, 2025.
”A follow-up operation led to the recovery of 20.5 kilograms of Canadian Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, from Ogunbiyi’s residence in Lekki, while a black Range Rover SUV with registration number RBC 459 EJ was traced to Adegoke’s residence in Ikeja GRA.
”The three were arraigned on a five-count charge marked FHC/L/925C/2025 before Justice Musa Kakaki of the Federal High Court, Lagos, on October 30, 2025. They all pleaded guilty to the charges.”
According to Babafemi, delivering judgement on October 31, Justice Kakaki sentenced each of the convicts to five years imprisonment without the option of fine, totalling 15 years. The court also ordered the forfeiture of the Range Rover SUV and a Toyota Venza car recovered during the investigation to the Federal Government.
”In a related development, two other drug kingpins, Obunike Joseph Obichukwu and Uzorchukwu Godspower Chukwurah, were convicted for attempting to export 2.60 kilograms of cocaine and 27.90 kilograms of tramadol concealed in motor spare parts to Gabon.
”The duo were arrested at the Lagos airport on July 19, 2025, and later arraigned before Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa of the Federal High Court, Lagos, on a six-count charge marked FHC/L/980C/2025.
”Upon their arraignment on November 4, 2025, both defendants pleaded guilty. After reviewing the facts of the case, the court sentenced them to three years imprisonment each or a fine of ₦2 million in lieu of jail.
”Justice Lewis-Allagoa also ordered the forfeiture of ₦4 million offered by Obunike as a bribe to NDLEA officers to the Federal Government,” he stated.
Babafemi, who confirmed the convictions in a statement on Friday, November 7, 2025, noted that the NDLEA will continue to strengthen its intelligence operations and collaborations with international partners to curb drug trafficking.
“We will not relent in identifying, tracing, and bringing to justice individuals and networks involved in the illicit drug trade. These convictions are a clear warning that there will be no safe haven for drug traffickers in Nigeria,” he added.