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
Police arrest suspected foreign bandits in Benue
By: Zagazola Makama
The Benue State Police Command has arrested two suspected foreign bandits in Jato-Aka area of the state.
Police sources said the suspects, identified as Franklin Penn, 32, and Ayong Louis, 33, were apprehended at about 6:00 a.m. on April 12 following credible intelligence.
According to the sources, the suspects, who claimed to be Cameroonian nationals, were found in possession of suspected criminal charms and foreign currency believed to be in French denomination.
The sources added that the suspects had no valid means of identification at the time of arrest.
They said the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation.
The command assured that further developments would be communicated as investigations progress.
Police arrest suspected foreign bandits in Benue
Suspected ISWAP member attempts suicide in custody in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
A suspected member of ISWAP/JAS arrested in Ngamdu town, Kaga Local Government Area of Borno State, has reportedly attempted suicide while in custody.
Security sources said the incident occurred at about 11:00 a.m. on April 13, following the suspect’s earlier arrest on April 12 by troops of 154 Task Force Battalion.
According to the sources, the suspect attempted to take his life by strangulation while in detention, but was quickly overpowered and restrained by troops on duty.
They added that the suspect was evacuated to a Level 2 Field Hospital (L2FH), where he is currently receiving medical attention and responding to treatment.
The sources noted that security measures around the detainee have been reinforced, while investigations into the case continue.
Suspected ISWAP member attempts suicide in custody in Borno
Troops uncover pipeline vandalisation, illegal crude oil storage in Delta
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops under Joint Task Force South-South, Operation Delta Safe, have uncovered a case of pipeline vandalisation and illegal crude oil bunkering in Obazogbe community, Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State.
Security sources said the discovery was made at about 12:00 noon on April 12 along the NNPC/Pan Ocean pipeline following credible intelligence.
According to the sources, troops of 181 Amphibious Battalion, in collaboration with operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and a technical team from NNPC/Pan Ocean, mobilised to the location.
They added that the team discovered a tapping point on the pipeline as well as a dug-out storage facility containing stolen crude oil estimated at about 2,660 litres.
The sources further disclosed that the technical team repaired the vandalised section of the pipeline, while the recovered crude oil was handled in line with Operation Delta Safe directives.
They noted that efforts are ongoing to track and apprehend those behind the illegal activity.
Troops uncover pipeline vandalisation, illegal crude oil storage in Delta
Police arrest suspected foreign bandits in Benue
Troops foil bandit attack, rescue 10 victims in Katsina
Security forces foil rustling, recover 22 animals in Katsina
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