In a major victory against international drug cartels operating in Nigeria, five notorious kingpins have been sentenced to a combined 21 years imprisonment for attempting to traffic substantial quantities of cocaine and opioids to foreign destinations.
International Drug Bust at Lagos Airport
The convictions follow extensive investigations and operations conducted by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Ikeja, Lagos. The drug traffickers were apprehended in separate operations targeting two distinct criminal syndicates with international connections.
According to court documents, the first group consisting of Olasupo Michael Oladimeji, Muaezee Ademola Ogunbiyi, and Sola Adegoke were identified as leaders of a sophisticated drug cartel. Their criminal enterprise unraveled on August 26, 2025, when NDLEA operatives intercepted 17.9 kilogrammes of cocaine cleverly concealed within textile materials and local charms.
The illicit consignment was destined for Sydney, Australia and was discovered at the airport's export shed. During subsequent investigations, authorities uncovered additional evidence including 20.5 kilogrammes of Canadian Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, from Ogunbiyi's residence in the Lekki area.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
The three defendants faced justice before Justice Musa Kakaki of the Federal High Court in Lagos on October 30, 2025. They were arraigned on a five-count charge and surprisingly pleaded guilty to all charges against them.
Delivering judgment on October 31, 2025, Justice Kakaki sentenced each defendant to five years imprisonment without the option of a fine, resulting in a combined 15-year sentence for the trio. The court also ordered the forfeiture of valuable assets including a black Range Rover SUV with registration number RBC 459 EJ recovered from Adegoke's home in Ikeja GRA, along with a Toyota Venza car seized during the investigation.
Second Syndicate Busted
In a parallel case, two other drug kingpins identified as Obunike Joseph Obichukwu and Uzorchukwu Godspower Chukwurah faced justice for their involvement in a separate trafficking operation. Their arrest followed the interception of 2.60 kilogrammes of cocaine and 27.90 kilogrammes of tramadol concealed within motor spare parts bound for Gabon.
The seizure occurred at the Lagos airport on July 19, 2025. The duo were arraigned before Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa of the Federal High Court, Lagos on a six-count charge numbered FHC/L/980C. Both men pleaded guilty during their arraignment on Tuesday, November 4.
Following a thorough review of case facts, Justice Lewis-Allagoa convicted the defendants and sentenced each to three years imprisonment with an alternative option of paying a ₦2 million fine each. Additionally, the court ordered the forfeiture of ₦4 million that Obunike had allegedly offered as bribe to NDLEA officers.
The successful prosecution of these five drug traffickers represents a significant achievement in Nigeria's ongoing battle against international drug cartels and sends a strong warning to other criminal elements involved in the narcotics trade.
