NDLEA Secure Conviction of Three Kingpins Among 19 Convicts Sentenced to 302 Years for Drug Trafficking

Three notorious drug kingpins, along with 16 other offenders, have been sentenced to a combined total of 302 years in prison for trafficking and dealing in various illicit drugs, including cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, cannabis, and opioids. These convictions were the result of thorough investigations and successful prosecutions by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). The sentencing, handed down by the Federal High Court across several states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), underscores the Nigerian government’s intensified crackdown on the illegal drug trade.

Among those sentenced is 50-year-old Bolanle Lookman Dauda, a major figure in the drug trafficking world. Dauda was apprehended on May 25, 2024, during an intelligence-led raid conducted by a special operation unit of the NDLEA at Ibiye, along the Lagos-Badagry expressway.

The operation, which occurred as Dauda attempted to cross the border into Ghana, led to the discovery of 42 blocks of cocaine weighing 47.5 kilograms. A follow-up search at his residence in Ogun State uncovered an additional eight blocks of cocaine, bringing the total seized to 57.5 kilograms. Dauda was subsequently charged and convicted by the Federal High Court in Lagos, where Justice Ambrose Allagoa sentenced him to 21 years in prison, with an alternative option of a N30 million fine.

Nationwide Impact of NDLEA Operations

The convictions of Dauda and the other 18 offenders are part of a broader effort by the NDLEA to dismantle drug trafficking networks across Nigeria. Between July 1st and 31st, 2024, the Federal High Court in Benue, Bauchi, Edo, Lagos, Ogun, Gombe, and the FCT convicted a total of 414 drug traffickers and dealers. The stiff sentences handed down to these criminals reflect the NDLEA’s commitment to curbing the spread of illicit drugs in the country and bringing those responsible to justice.

The successful prosecution of these cases highlights the effectiveness of the NDLEA’s strategic operations and its collaboration with international partners. The agency’s ability to track and apprehend key players in the drug trade, such as Dauda, is a significant victory in the fight against narcotics. The NDLEA continues to prioritize intelligence-led operations and judicial processes to ensure that drug traffickers face the full force of the law, sending a strong message to those involved in the illegal drug trade that they will be held accountable for their actions.

Fentanyl Kingpin Sentenced to 14 Years

One of the most notable convictions involved Ikeh Stanley Ifeanyi, a 34-year-old man apprehended at the bustling Idumota market in Lagos Island. NDLEA operatives arrested Ifeanyi in possession of 1,100 ampoules of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid weighing 6.480 kilograms. Fentanyl, which is 100 times more potent than heroin, has been responsible for over 70% of overdose deaths in the United States, underscoring its lethal nature and the significance of this arrest.

Following his arrest, Ifeanyi was arraigned before Justice Kehinde Ogundare of the Federal High Court in Lagos. On July 4, 2024, the trial judge found Ifeanyi guilty on two counts and sentenced him to 14 years in prison, with an option to pay a fine of N2 million. The conviction is a significant achievement for the NDLEA, as it strikes a blow against the trafficking of one of the deadliest drugs currently fueling the global overdose crisis.

Lengthy Sentences for Methamphetamine Traffickers

In another major case, Christian Anyanwu was sentenced to 16 years in prison after being found guilty of attempting to smuggle 1.4 kilograms of methamphetamine to Brazil. Anyanwu was arrested on November 26, 2022, at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, where NDLEA officers discovered the drugs hidden inside custard tins among other cosmetics and foodstuffs. The drugs were destined for Brazil via Doha on a Qatar Airways flight.

Anyanwu was tried before Justice Yellin Bogoro of the Federal High Court in Lagos and convicted on July 12, 2024. His sentence includes a mandatory four-year imprisonment without the option of a fine, reflecting the severity of his crime. The conviction serves as a stern warning to other would-be traffickers, emphasizing the NDLEA’s determination to bring such criminals to justice.

Nationwide Crackdown Yields Multiple Convictions

July 2024 proved to be a particularly successful month for the NDLEA, as several other drug traffickers received substantial prison sentences across various states. Moses Yakubu was sentenced to 25 years in prison by Justice Rita Ajumogobia of the Federal High Court in Abuja on July 22. Similarly, Oluosun Okikiola received a 15-year sentence on July 17, following his conviction by Justice A.A. Okeke of the Federal High Court in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Other significant convictions include Chanchan Terpase, who was sentenced to seven years in prison on July 9 by Justice R.J. Abubakar of the Federal High Court in Makurdi, Benue State. Additionally, on July 3, 2024, Justice C.O. Obiozor of the Federal High Court in Benin, Edo State, sentenced Beauty Gani to 30 years in prison or a fine of N8 million.

NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) praised the efforts of the officers involved in these operations and commended the judiciary for the swift adjudication of the cases. He emphasized that the sentencing of these traffickers would significantly enhance the agency’s efforts to reduce drug supply and serve as a deterrent to others involved in the illegal drug trade