Convicted drug kingpins forfeit houses, N67m, $50,000 in Lagos

The Federal High Court in Lagos, presided over by Justice Yellim Bogoro, has sentenced four drug lords linked to Nigeria’s largest-ever cocaine seizure of 2.1 tons in Ikorodu, Lagos, to a combined 28 years imprisonment with hard labour

The convicts include: Soji Jubril Oke (71) — 5 years imprisonment with hard labour, Wasiu Akinade (55) — 3 years imprisonment with hard labour, Emmanuel Arinze Chukwu (67) — 16 years imprisonment and Kelvin Christopher Smith (44, Jamaican) — 4 years imprisonment with hard labour

The court also ordered the forfeiture of assets linked to the convicts – including a Toyota Tacoma SUV, $50,000 USD, N55,099,509.50, N9,003,168.06 and N3,052,295.20.

Also, the court confiscated two properties — House Number 6 Olokunola Street, Solebo Estate, Ikorodu, and House Number J9, Road 3, Close 1, Victoria Garden City, VGC, Lagos.

Recall that on September 18, 2022, NDLEA operatives raided a property at 6 Olokunola Crescent, Solebo Estate, Ikorodu, seizing 2,139.55kg of cocaine in an intelligence-led operation.

The convicts were arrested in various hideouts across Lagos.

Justice Bogoro stressed that the properties were acquired using proceeds from drug trafficking and ruled that they be sold, with the proceeds remitted to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Speaking on the development, the Chairman of NDLEA, Mohamed Marwa, applauded the investigation and prosecution teams, calling the convictions and asset forfeitures a historic victory against drug cartels.

“This case serves as a stern warning to drug traffickers—they will not only face jail terms but also forfeit their ill-gotten wealth and properties acquired through criminal enterprises,” Marwa said.

This ruling marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s fight against illicit drug trafficking, underscoring the commitment of law enforcement agencies to dismantle drug syndicates and seize their proceeds of crime.

DailyPost