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 clear terrorist enclaves, neutralise IEDs in Sambisa offensive
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have cleared several terrorist enclaves and neutralised multiple Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs during an ongoing offensive into the Sambisa Forest axis of Borno State.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation, conducted under Operation Desert Sanity V, involved troops of 21 Special Armoured Brigade (SAB) and 26 Task Force Brigade, operating in conjunction with vigilante forces.
According to the source, the troops departed their Harbour Area at about 9:20 a.m. on Dec. 31, and conducted clearance operations along designated withdrawal routes within the Sambisa axis.
“The troops successfully cleared the terrorist enclaves of Garin Kago, Garin Alhaji Bita and Garin Malam Muazu during the operation,” the source said.
The areas were described as active terrorist locations; however, the insurgents reportedly fled before the arrival of the advancing troops.
“Despite the terrorists’ withdrawal, several life-support structures within the enclaves were identified and destroyed in line with operational guidelines,” the source added.
During the withdrawal phase, troops encountered three buried IEDs, which were promptly detonated in situ by the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team without incident.
The troops later returned safely to Brigade Headquarters at about 4:45 p.m., while casualties recorded during the operation were immediately evacuated to the 7 Division Medical Hospital for further medical attention.
The operation forms part of sustained efforts by Operation Hadin Kai to degrade terrorist networks, dismantle logistics bases and deny insurgents freedom of movement within the Sambisa Forest and surrounding areas.
Troops clear terrorist enclaves, neutralise IEDs in Sambisa offensive
Troops neutralise two terrorists, recover arms in Sambisa Forest
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have neutralised two Boko Haram terrorists and recovered arms during clearance operations into the Sambisa Forest area of Borno.
Zagazola learnt that the operation was conducted on Dec. 29 by troops of 26 Task Force Brigade, in collaboration with the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), hybrid forces and hunters.
According to the sources , the troops, led by the Commander of 26 Task Force Brigade, advanced from their harbour area towards Tokumbere and Lagara axes en route to Sabil Huda to link up with troops of 21 Special Armoured Brigade.
The sources said that the troops successfully cleared Tokumbere and Lagara communities before making contact with a Boko Haram/ISWAP delay party along the axis.
The sources said the troops engaged the terrorists with heavy volume of fire, neutralising two of them, while others fled in disarray, possibly with gunshot wounds.
The sources added that troops conducted exploitation of the general area without further contact.
During the exploitation, the military said one AK-47 rifle and one AK-47 magazine loaded with 15 rounds of 7.62x39mm ammunition were recovered.
End
Troops neutralise terrorist in ambush operation in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have neutralised one terrorist during an ambush operation in Bama Local Government Area of Borno.
Zagazola learnt that the operation was conducted at about 6:05 p.m. on Dec. 28 in Ladantar area of Bama LGA.
According to the sources , troops of 151 Task Force Battalion, deployed at Forward Operating Base Mayanti, laid an ambush in conjunction with volunteer forces at the Ladantar axis.
The sources said that the ambush team made contact with the terrorists at about 11:45 p.m. and engaged them, resulting in the neutralisation of one terrorist, while others fled in disarray.
The sources added that there were no casualties on the side of the troops during the operation.
It said the troops also recovered a fabric mat believed to belong to the terrorists.
Troops neutralise terrorist in ambush operation in Borno
Zulum Inaugurates 48-Classroom High Islamic College in Gubio
Yobe: Prioritize security, Buni tells newly appointed Chairman of Yusufari
Zulum Boosts Rural Health Incentives With Major Allowance Increase
Roger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
FAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
News2 years agoRoger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
-
Opinions4 years ago
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
-
News9 months agoFAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
Opinions4 years agoPOLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
News2 years agoEYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
ACADEMICS2 years agoA History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
Columns2 years agoArmy University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
Opinions2 years agoTinubu,Shettima: The epidemic of economic, insecurity in Nigeria
