A Federal High Court in Lagos has sentenced four drug kingpins to a combined 28 years imprisonment with hard labor. The convicts were linked to Nigeria’s largest-ever cocaine seizure of 2.1 tons in Ikorodu, Lagos.
The sentences were handed down by Justice Yellim Bogoro as follows: Soji Jubril Oke (71): 5 years imprisonment with hard labor, Wasiu Akinade (55): 3 years imprisonment with hard labor, Emmanuel Arinze Chukwu (67): 16 years imprisonment, and Kelvin Christopher Smith (44, Jamaican): 4 years imprisonment with hard labor.
Additionally, the court ordered the forfeiture of assets linked to the convicts, including: – A Toyota Tacoma SUV, $50,000 US, ₦9,003,168.06, ₦3,052,295.20, and Two properties: House Number 6 Olokunola Street, Solebo Estate, Ikorodu, and House Number J9, Road 3, Close 1, Victoria Garden City (VGC), Lagos.
The properties will be sold, and the proceeds will be remitted to the Federal Government of Nigeria.The convictions and asset forfeitures were hailed by the Chairman of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), as a historic victory against drug cartels.
“This case serves as a stern warning to drug traffickers – they will not only face jail terms but also forfeit their ill-gotten wealth and properties acquired through criminal enterprises,” Marwa said.
This ruling marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s fight against illicit drug trafficking, underscoring the commitment of law enforcement agencies to dismantle drug syndicates and seize their proceeds of crime.
Source : https://vanguardngr.com
