Five key members of international organized criminal groups (IOCG) have been sentenced to a combined 21 years imprisonment following their arrest by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
This is in connection with the seizure of 68.9 kilograms of cocaine and tramadol at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos.
According to a statement by the Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Mr Femi Babafemi, the primary drug cartel leaders, Olasupo Michael Oladimeji, Muaezee Ademola Ogunbiyi, and Sola Adegoke, received a total of 15 years in jail.
He said, their arrest followed the discovery of 17.9kg of cocaine concealed in textiles and charms destined for Sydney, Australia, on August 26, 2025.
Investigations led to the recovery of an additional 20.5kg of Canadian Loud (cannabis strain) from Ogunbiyi’s Lekki residence.
The trio were arraigned on October 30, 2025, before Justice Musa Kakaki of the Federal High Court, Lagos.
Upon pleading guilty, they were each sentenced to five years imprisonment without the option of a fine on October 31.
The court also ordered the forfeiture of a Range Rover SUV and a Toyota Venza seized from the convicts to the Federal Government.
In a separate case, two kingpins of another syndicate, Obunike Joseph Obichukwu and Uzorchukwu Godspower Chukwurah, were arrested after NDLEA operatives intercepted 2.60kg of cocaine and 27.90kg of tramadol hidden in motor spare parts heading to Gabon on July 19, 2025.
They were arraigned on November 4, 2025, before Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa of the Federal High Court, Lagos. Both pleaded guilty and were convicted and sentenced to three years imprisonment each, with the option of a N2 million fine.
Also, N4 million offered by Obunike to bribe NDLEA officers was ordered forfeited to the Federal Government.
Reporting by Nosa Aituamen