Four drug kingpins, including a Jamaican, have been convicted and sentenced to 28 years in jail for their involvement in the historic seizure of 2,139.55 kilograms of cocaine at an Ikorodu residential estate in 2022. The convicts, Soji Jubril Oke, 71; Wasiu Akinade, 55; Emmanuel Arinze Chukwu, 67; and Kelvin Christopher Smith, 44, a Jamaican, were charged with six counts of conspiracy to form and operate a drug trafficking organization, management and financing of a DTO, and importation and possession of cocaine.
The trial judge, Justice Yellim Bogoro, handed down the sentences after a diligent prosecution that lasted over two years. The Jamaican, Kelvin Christopher Smith, received four years imprisonment with hard labour; Emmanuel Arinze Chukwu got a total of 16 years; Soji Jubril Oke received five years with hard labour; and Wasiu Akinade got three years with hard labour.
The convicts were also ordered to forfeit a grey colour Toyota Tacoma SUV, $50,000, N55,099,509.50, and N9,003,168.06, as well as two houses linked to members of the drug cartel. The NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, confirmed the judgement and stated that the Agency had also secured the final forfeiture of the two houses.
According to the trial court: “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, Lagos State… “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…”
Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended the officers and men of the Agency involved in the investigation and prosecution of the drug cartel. He stated that the case is a historical blow to the drug cartels and a strong warning that they will not only go to jail but will also lose all their investments in illicit drug consignments.
