NDLEA secures 21-year jail terms for 5 drug cartel kingpins over Gabon, Australia-bound cocaine

 

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has secured a total of 21 years’ imprisonment for five members of international organized criminal groups recently arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, in connection with intercepted cocaine and opioid consignments bound for Australia and Gabon.

The convictions followed the seizure of 68.9 kilograms of cocaine and tramadol at the airport.

According to the NDLEA, the trio of Olasupo Michael Oladimeji, Muaezee Ademola Ogunbiyi, and Sola Adegoke—identified as leaders of one of the trafficking cartels—were arrested after 17.9kg of cocaine concealed in textile materials and local charms was intercepted at the MMIA export shed on August 26, 2025, en route to Sydney, Australia.

Further investigations led to the recovery of 20.5kg of Canadian Loud (a potent strain of cannabis) from Ogunbiyi’s residence in Lekki, while a black Range Rover SUV (RBC 459 EJ) was recovered from Adegoke’s home in Ikeja GRA.

The suspects were arraigned on October 30, 2025, before Justice Musa Kakaki of the Federal High Court, Lagos, on five counts under charge number FHC/L/925C/2025. They pleaded guilty to all charges.

Delivering judgment on October 31, Justice Kakaki sentenced each defendant to five years’ imprisonment without an option of fine, amounting to a combined jail term of 15 years.

The court also ordered the forfeiture of the Range Rover SUV and a Toyota Venza seized during the investigation 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 concealed in motor spare parts destined for Gabon on July 19, 2025.

After investigations, both suspects were arraigned before Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa of the Federal High Court, Lagos, on November 4, on six counts under charge number FHC/L/980C/2025.

Upon their guilty pleas and a review of the case facts, the court sentenced both men to three years’ imprisonment each or an option of a N2 million fine.

Additionally, the N4 million Obunike allegedly offered as a bribe to NDLEA operatives was ordered forfeited to the Federal Government.