Crime
Four Drug Lords Get 28 Years in Jail, Forfeit VGC Houses, Large Cash
Four Drug Lords Get 28 Years in Jail, Forfeit VGC Houses, Large Cash
By: Michael Mike
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has gotten for drug kingpins arrested in connection with the historic seizure of 2,139.55 kilogrammes of cocaine at an Ikorodu residential estate in 2022.
They were convicted by a Federal High Court, Lagos presided over by Justice Yellim Bogoro who sentenced them to various jail terms totaling 28 years with hard labour.
The convicts: Soji Oke, 71; Wasiu Akinade, 55; Emmanuel Chukwu, 67; and Kelvin Christopher Smith, 44, a Jamaican, were charged with six counts in charge number: FHC/L/607C/2022 in October and December 2022, while the trial of the fifth suspect, Oguntolure Sunday arraigned along with them is still ongoing in court.
The charges border on conspiracy to form and operate a drug trafficking organisation (DTO); management and financing of a DTO; importation and possession of 2,139.55 kilogrammes of cocaine, among others.
A press statement on Thursday by the spokesman of the NDLEA, Femi Babafemi read: operatives of a special operations unit of NDLEA had in a well-coordinated and intelligence-led operation on Sunday 18th September, 2022 raided a house located at 6 Olukuola crescent, Solebo estate, Ikorodu, Lagos where the over 2.1 tons of cocaine were seized, the largest singular cocaine seizure in the history of Nigeria’s anti-narcotic operations.
He added that the drug kingpins were picked from hotels and their hideouts in different parts of Lagos between the night of Sunday 18th and Monday 19th September, 2022.
Babafemi said after over two years of diligent prosecution, the trial judge handed the Jamaican, Kelvin Smith four years imprisonment with hard labour; Emmanuel Chukwu got a total of 16 years; Soji Oke got five years with hard labour and Wasiu Akinade three years with hard labour.
He disclosed that the trial judge however gave the convicts varying options of fine with the exception of one of them who will serve his full jail term without an option of fine.
Babafemi said they were also to forfeit a grey colour Toyota Tacoma SUV marked AAA-734HT registered in the name of Emmanuel Chukwu; $50,000:00 belonging to Chukwu; N55,099,509.50 also belonging to Chukwu; the sum of N9,003,168.06 belonging to Wasiu Akinade and N3,052,295.20 also belonging to Akinade.
The spokesman said the agency also in another suit marked FHC/L/MISC/672/2024 and filed before Justice Bogoro on 9th December 2024 after an initial interim forfeiture order, secured the final forfeiture of two houses linked to members of the drug cartel.
The trial judge said: “That an Order of final forfeiture and confiscation is granted in favour of the Federal Government of Nigeria, Landed Property/House Number 6 Olokunola Street, Sholebo Estate, Ikorodu, Lagos State, as contained in Exhibit NDLEA 2A, 2B, and 2C attached to this application used for the storage and concealment of 2,139.55 kilogrammes (More Than Two Tons) Cocaine, an illicit substance similar to Heroin and LSD.
“That an Order of final forfeiture and confiscation is granted in favour of the Federal Government of Nigeria, Landed Property/House Number J9, Road 3, Close 1,
Victoria Garden City (VGC) Estate, Lagos, Lagos State, as contained in Exhibit NDLEA 3 attached to this application reasonably believed to be bought with proceeds derived
from trafficking in illicit drug substances (proceeds of crime) as in relief 1 of this Motion.
“That an Order is granted directing the sale or disposal by any other means provided by law of the forfeited House/Landed Property by the Applicant and the payment of the proceeds therefrom to the Federal Government of Nigeria.”
Meanwhile, the Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) while commending all the officers and men of the agency involved in the extensive investigation and prosecution of members of the drug cartel, said the case is a historical blow to the drug cartels and a strong warning that they’ll not only go to jail but will equally lose all their investments in illicit drug consignments including all the properties and wealth acquired through the criminal trade.
Four Drug Lords Get 28 Years in Jail, Forfeit VGC Houses, Large Cash
Troops trail kidnappers, warn locals in Sokoto against complicity
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of 8 Division, deployed at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Sabon Birnin in Sabon Birnin Local Government Area of Sokoto State, have traced a group of terrorists who kidnapped four farmers in Fadama village.
Security sources said that at about 10:00 a.m. on March 24, troops responded to reports of terrorist activity in the community. On arrival, they confirmed that a group of terrorists had invaded the village and abducted four local farmers.
Troops trailed the suspects along their withdrawal route but the terrorists had fled.
The troops admonished residents on the importance of timely reporting of suspicious activities to enable prompt security response and continued aggressive patrols to deny terrorists freedom of action in the area.
They also warned the residents against complicity with the terrorists.
Troops trail kidnappers, warn locals in Sokoto against complicity
Troops arrest notorious criminal in Jos East, Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) have arrested a notorious criminal terrorizing residents of Vatt Community.
Security sources said that at about 4:10 p.m. on March 24, troops of Sector 1, Sub-Sector 12, in collaboration with local residents, apprehended 40-year-old Suleiman Mohammed in Lamingo, Jos East Local Government Area.
The suspect, known for causing fear and committing crimes in the community, was handed over to the Keystone Maijuju Division for necessary legal action.
The operation forms part of ongoing efforts by troops of Operation Enduring Peace to maintain law and order, protect lives, and ensure the safety of residents across Plateau State.
Troops arrest notorious criminal in Jos East, Plateau
Troops of Operation Enduring Peace repel terrorists’ attack in Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) have successfully repelled an attack by suspected terrorists in Pinau community, Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Security sources said the attack occurred at about 1:30 a.m. on March 26, when armed assailants attempted to strike the community.
Troops of Sector 2, in collaboration with local vigilante groups, engaged the attackers with superior firepower, forcing them to flee.
“No casualties were recorded during the encounter, and troops are currently conducting thorough exploitation of the area to ensure the safety of residents,” a security source said.
Troops of Operation Enduring Peace repel terrorists’ attack in Plateau
Troops restore calm after communal clash in Nasarawa
Troops conduct offensive, recover arms in Zamfara
Troops trail kidnappers, warn locals in Sokoto against complicity
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