Four drug kingpins involved in the record-breaking seizure of 2,139.55 kilograms of cocaine at an Ikorodu residential estate in 2022 have been sentenced by a Federal High Court in Lagos.
The convicts, including Nigerian nationals Soji Jubril Oke (71), Wasiu Akinade (55), Emmanuel Arinze Chukwu (67), and Jamaican national Kelvin Christopher Smith (44), were arrested by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) during a series of raids on September 18 and 19, 2022, across various locations in Lagos.
The operation led to the discovery of over 2.1 tons of cocaine at 6 Olukuola Crescent, Solebo Estate, Ikorodu marking the largest cocaine seizure in Nigerian history.
The accused were charged with six counts in October and December 2022, under charge number FHC/L/607C/2022.
A fifth suspect, Oguntolure Sunday, was also arraigned but is still undergoing trial.
In a statement issued Thursday, NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi confirmed that the convicts were sentenced by Justice Yellim Bogoro to a combined total of 28 years in prison with hard labor.
The sentencing details are as follows:
Kelvin Christopher Smith (Jamaican): 4 years with hard labor
Emmanuel Arinze Chukwu: 16 years with hard labor
Soji Jubril Oke: 5 years with hard labor
Wasiu Akinade: 3 years with hard labor
The convicts were also ordered to forfeit significant assets, including a grey Toyota Tacoma SUV registered in Emmanuel Chukwu’s name, $50,000 belonging to Chukwu, and various sums in Nigerian Naira ₦55,099,509.50 and ₦9,003,168.06 tied to Chukwu and Akinade, respectively.
Additionally, two properties connected to the drug cartel were finally forfeited.
The first property is located at 6 Olokunola Street, Solebo Estate, Ikorodu, which was used to conceal the seized cocaine.
The second property, situated at J9, Road 3, Close 1, Victoria Garden City Estate, Lagos, was believed to have been acquired with proceeds from drug trafficking.
The court granted the Federal Government of Nigeria full ownership of these properties and ordered that they be sold, with the proceeds paid to the government.
