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Couple sentenced to 22 years imprisonment for drug trafficking in Lagos

 

By Ebinum Samuel

 

Indian lady, Angolan bizman, 1 other bag 21 years jail in Kano, Enugu as NDLEA secures final forfeiture of multi-billion naira Lagos hotel, cars used for illicit drug distribution

 

A businessman Ajah Johnson Uchenna and his wife Rosemary Uchenna were on Monday 4th August 2025 sentenced to a total of 22 and a half years imprisonment by Justice Deinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court 8 in Lagos for dealing in illicit drugs.

The couple was first arrested on Friday 13th June by operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS) in Ojo area of the state and transferred to NDLEA along with 277.5kg skunk, a strain of cannabis. While they were still being investigated in custody, credible intelligence revealed that the family business was going on in their house. This led to a raid of their home and a packing store where 231kg of same substance was recovered by NDLEA operatives on Tuesday 1st July.

They were subsequently arraigned in charge number FHC/L/632C/2025 at the Federal High Court Lagos on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, dealing and storage of 414.2 kilograms of cannabis sativa.

Delivering his judgement on the case on Monday 4th August, Justice Dipeolu convicted Mrs.

Rosemary Uchenna on counts 1, 2, and 3 and sentenced her to 17 years in prison without an option of fine, while her husband Johnson Ajah Uchenna was convicted and sentenced to five years imprisonment without option of fine on count 1 and six months in jail on count 4 with an option of N1 million fine.

In addition to the jail terms, the trial judge also ordered the sum of Three Million, Four Hundred and Seven Thousand Naira (₦3, 407,000.00) only recovered from the couple as proceeds of crime be forfeited to the Federal Government.

Similarly, a Federal High Court in Kano presided by Justice Simon Amobeda has convicted and sentenced a 42-year-old Indian lady, Neetu Neetu to five years imprisonment for importing 72 parcels of heroin factory sealed in wafer wraps and packaged as chocolates, weighing 11 kilograms into Nigeria through the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) Kano.

The class A drug consignment was recovered from Neetu’s luggage after a thorough search, following processed credible intelligence, during an inward clearance of Qatar Airways flight QR1431 from Bangkok, Thailand via Vietnam and Doha at the arrival hall of the Kano airport on Friday 14th March 2025. She was subsequently arraigned in charge number FHC/KN/CR/65/2025 before Justice Amobeda who eventually sentenced her to 10 years on two counts with an option of N2million fine.

In like manner, a 42-year-old Angolan businessman Mbala Dajou Abuba was convicted and sentenced to five years in prison by Justice Mohammed Yunusa of a Federal High Court in Kano following his arrest and arraignment by NDLEA for ingesting 120 pellets of cocaine weighing 1.829 kilograms. Abuba who is from the Zaire province in Angola was arrested on Tuesday 25th February 2025 at the screening point of the Kano airport while trying to board Egypt Air flight MS 880 to Istanbul, Turkey via Cairo.

Equally, a Federal High Court in Enugu has convicted another drug trafficker Eze Christian Ikenna on two counts of unlawful trafficking and possession of 11.20 kilograms of cocaine, brought against him by the NDLEA in charge number FHC/EN/CS/9/2023. He was arrested on January 20, 2023 by NDLEA operatives at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, upon arrival from Brazil via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia with 11.20 kilograms of cocaine concealed in herbal tea sachets. He was subsequently arraigned before Justice M. G. Umar of the Federal High Court, Enugu, who eventually sentenced him to three years imprisonment on each count, totalling six years, while the sentence will run concurrently, effective from May 20, 2023.

In yet another high impact breakthrough in its ongoing war against illicit drug trafficking across Nigeria, the NDLEA has secured the final forfeiture of a multi-billion Naira 80-room Hotel and Lounge in Victoria Island Lagos linked to an illicit drug trafficking cartel along with other assets.

The 80-room hotel in Victoria Island Lagos used as cover for distributing illicit substances was raided between Friday 25th and Saturday 26th April 2025 by NDLEA operatives who after hours of combing the rooms recovered 589 bags of Canadian Loud, a strong strain of cannabis with a total weight of 417.3 kilograms worth One Billion Forty-Two Million Five Hundred Thousand Naira (₦1,042,500,000) only in street value.

Forfeited along with the landed property situated at No. 16 Waziri Ibrahim Street off Elsie Femi Pearse Road, Victoria Island, Lagos, include: Toyota Sienna Vehicle marked KJA 79 HJ;

Volkswagen Delivery Van numbered AAA 525 JE; KIA Ceranto Car with plate number BDG 860 GQ; Black Colour Land Cruiser Prado with plate number AKD 472 DZ; Red Colour Grand Caravan Dodge with plate number APP 847 YF; White Colour Mazda Bus marked KTU 241 AAA; Mercedes Benz Truck with registration number ASB 500 XY; Gold Colour Toyota Corolla Car with registration number EKY 295 JT; Ash Colour Sienna Mini Bus; 84 Television Sets; 70 Air New Conditioners; and 13 New Fridges.

The final forfeiture orders were issued on Friday 18th July 2025 by Justice Ibrahim Ahmad Kala following the motion number FHC/L/MISC/447/2025 filed by NDLEA.

Reacting to the conviction and forfeiture court judgements, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) commended the various commands of the Agency, their officers and men that handled the various cases as well as the judiciary for delivering prompt judgements to strengthen the deterrent effect of NDLEA efforts. “Nothing serves the cause of justice more than when the criminal elements are given long jail terms and made to forfeit all they have acquired through the proceeds of their illicit drug trade, and we’re happy with this kind of judicial pronouncements, which will not only encourage our men to do more but will have long lasting impact on our drug control efforts”, Marwa stated.

26-year-old Nigerian Man Stabbed to Death in UK

 

A 26-year-old Nigerian man has been s#bbed to d3ath in the United Kingdom.

 

Ayowale Aledejana was k!lled in a home in south-east London, according to the Met Police.

 

It was gathered that officers were called to Monson Road, New Cross, at around 7.26pm on Saturday, August 2, 2025 after a man was found with st#b wounds.

 

Officers attended alongside paramedics and London Air Ambulance medics but Mr Aledjana, from South Norwood, Croydon, d!ed at the scene.

His family are being supported by specially trained officers.

 

The incident happened across the road from what was the Duke of Albany pub, which featured in the 2004 film Shaun Of The D3ad.

 

A forensics tent has been set up on the pavement, and flowers have been left outside the terraced house.

 

A 23-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman have been arrested on suspicion of m8rder and remain in custody.

 

Detective Chief Inspector Lucie Card, who is leading the investigation, said: “Our thoughts are with Ayowale’s family and friends at this difficult time.

 

“I understand this incident will be concerning and we are carrying out a fast-paced and thorough investigation to establish the circumstances.

 

“I would encourage anyone who has not yet spoken to us to do so.

 

“Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 quoting reference 6271/02AUG

 

Saudi Arabia executes 17 people in 3 days

 

Saudi Arabia has executed 17 individuals in just three days, according to reports from state media on Monday the country’s fastest rate of capital punishment since March 2022, when 81 people were executed in a single day.

 

The Saudi Press Agency confirmed that two Saudi nationals were executed on Monday for what were described as “terrorist crimes.” This came on the heels of 15 other executions over the weekend, mostly involving foreign nationals convicted of drug-related offenses.

 

Thirteen of them were convicted of smuggling hashish, and one was executed for trafficking cocaine.

This brings the total number of executions in the kingdom so far this year to 239.

 

The figure includes 161 executions for drug offences and 136 foreign nationals, based on an AFP tally of official data.

 

If the current trend continues, Saudi Arabia could surpass its 2023 record of 338 executions, the highest since public tracking began in the early 1990s.

 

Human rights organisations have expressed deep concern.

 

Jeed Basyouni of Reprieve noted that most of the recent executions involved foreign nationals and related to hashish smuggling.

 

She described the surge as alarming, especially at a time when many countries are moving toward decriminalising cannabis-related offences.

Analysts link the spike in executions to Saudi Arabia’s intensified “war on drugs,” which began in 2023. Many of those now being executed were arrested shortly after the campaign launched and have since completed legal processes.

 

After a three-year moratorium on executions for drug-related crimes, Saudi Arabia resumed the practice in late 2022.

 

Authorities insist the death penalty is carried out only after all appeals are exhausted and argue it serves as a deterrent to crime and helps maintain national security.

 

However, activists argue that the growing use of capital punishment contradicts the kingdom’s efforts to project a modern and progressive image under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 reform programme.

 

2 teenage girls brutally killed in Kogi

 

Shock and grief have gripped Igalamela/Odolu Local Government Area of Kogi State after two teenage girls, identified as Ajuma Simon and Omojo Shuaibu, were gruesomely murdered while returning from a local market.

 

The tragic incident occurred around 7 p.m. on Wednesday as the victims walked along a bush path leading to their village.

 

Residents reported hearing screams for help during the attack but arrived too late.

 

“They only came to the scene to meet the victims already dismembered. As at the time we got to the scene, one of the victims was still breathing. She told us that the armed men came with the intention to rape or kidnap them,” a witness recounted.

According to locals, the girls attempted to escape but were chased for nearly 300 meters before being caught and brutally attacked.

 

“I know the girls; one of them, Omojo Shuaibu, was my ex-student at the UEC Secondary School Ogbogbo. Very brilliant and dedicated; she was the assistant head girl,” said Yahaya Edibo, a teacher in the community.

 

On Thursday, local vigilantes and youths evacuated the bodies to a morgue in Idah Local Government Area.

 

The Igalamela chapter of the Ukomu Igala socio-cultural organization expressed alarm over increasing attacks by armed men in the area, calling on the state government for urgent intervention.

Confirming the incident, Kogi Police Command’s spokesperson, SP William Aya, said police operatives have been deployed to the community to investigate the killings.

 

(DAILY TRUST)

8 Yahoo Boys sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to internet fraud

 

A Federal High Court sitting in Lafia, Nasarawa State, has eight Nigerian youths to one year over their involvement in internet fraud.

A statement issued by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday, said the convicted Internet fraudsters (Yahoo Boys) were arraigned on Tuesday, July 29,  before Justice Anyalewa Onoja-Alapa of the Federal High Court Lafia, Nasarawa State.

They were arraigned on one-count separate charges bordering on obtaining by false pretences.

” The suspects are Timileyin Jude, Kelvin Godwin, Benedict  Udoh and Israel Ugwu. Others are Friday Onigbe, Ismaila Jemilu, Salifu Mustapha Achema and Paul Attah.

“Godwin’s count reads, ‘That you Kelvin  Godwin sometime in the year 2025 at Karu, Abuja within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria fraudulently impersonated one Bad Ass Kylie from America by means of your iPhone 14 Pro mobile device via a fake Telegram social media account with intent to gain advantage for yourself from unsuspecting foreign nationals, under the guise of which you benefitted the sum of $200 (Two Hundred States Dollars) and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (2) (b)(i) and (ii) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act, 2015 (as amended 2024) and punishable under Section 22 (2) (b)(iv) of the same Act”.

“Udoh’s count reads, ‘That you Benedict Simon Udoh sometime in the year 2025 at Karu Nasarawa state within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court fraudulently through your iPhone 14 Pro Max fraudulently impersonated black military man from the

United states of America using different social media site Neckter-recovery of Instagram, Wizzytechassit on email and anededepablo on Facebook with intent to obtain money and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (ii) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Act, 2015 (as amended 2024) and punishable under Section 22 (2) (b)(iv) of the same Act,” the statement said.

According to the statement,  all the suspects pleaded guilty,  prompting prosecution counsel S.N. Robert to urge the court to convict and sentence them.

Young man commits suicide in Abuja over gambling debts

Tragedy struck in the Saburi 2 community of Abuja on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, as a young man identified as Stephen Chidubem reportedly took his own life over mounting gambling debts.

 

 

The heartbreaking incident occurred at Chidubem’s residence on Abba Street, located behind the Anglican Church in Saburi 2. According to reports, the young man allegedly hanged himself using a rope tied to a ceiling fan.

 

Security analyst Zagazola Makama, who confirmed the incident via social media, said the deceased had been battling emotional and financial distress as a result of his gambling habits.

 

Emergency responders arrived at the scene and evacuated the body to Kubwa General Hospital, where he was confirmed d3ad by a medical doctor.

The corpse was subsequently deposited at the hospital’s mortuary for autopsy.

 

A suicide note recovered at the scene pointed to gambling addiction as the cause of the tragic act.

 

In the note, Chidubem apologized to those he owed and to those he believed were affected by his financial troubles.

 

The note read in part: “Sorry to everyone who cared, I can’t continue putting people in trouble because of my gambling addiction. Please forgive me Elvis, Paul, and all I’m owing. And you, Bishop Andy Ero, give the balance of N507,500 to Elvis or Paul.”

 

It was gathered that the deceased had been struggling with a severe gambling addiction that plunged him into debt and emotional distress.

NDLEA auctions forfeited drug traffickers’ properties in Lagos, Kano, Ondo, Ogun

 

By Ebinum Samuel

 

Targeting proceeds of crime ‘ll serve as punishment and deterrence – Marwa

 

 

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Tuesday 29th July 2025, conducted a public auction of forfeited houses which were either acquired through proceeds of drug trafficking or used as instrumentality of committing the crime.

The exercise which took place at the Agency’s National Headquarters in Abuja had pre-qualified auctioneers, bidders, representatives of civil society organizations and the media as well as other government agencies in attendance.

Speaking at the occasion, Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd.) who was represented by the Agency Secretary, Mr. Shadrack Haruna, said the exercise forms part of the Agency’s strategic efforts to dismantle drug trafficking networks by depriving offenders both liberty and illicit wealth in strict compliance with legal frameworks and due process.

He reaffirmed the Agency’s resolve to pursue drug offenders not only through prosecution but also by targeting all assets acquired through proceeds of crime. According to him, “this auction is part of our broader commitment to transparency and justice. Beyond prosecuting drug offenders, we are committed to ensuring that the financial incentives that drive these crimes are neutralized through legal forfeiture. This serves as both punishment and deterrence. When drug traffickers know they stand to lose everything, including their ill-gotten assets, it sends a stronger message than imprisonment alone.”

The auction involved forfeited eight properties across Lagos, Kano, Ondo, and Ogun. Two of the houses located in Lekki and Ikorodu areas of Lagos were stepped down from the process due to notices of appeal received after the processes had begun. Six other properties were auctioned to pre-qualified bidders, with only two sold at over N139 million following successful bids above their reserved prices. Others either failed to receive any bids or attracted offers below the benchmark.

Speaking at the bidding exercise, Umar Yakubu of the Centre for Transparency and Integrity Watch, commended the NDLEA for conducting a process that was open, credible, and compliant with international best practices. He noted that the level of transparency observed was commendable and reflective of a strong institutional culture that prioritizes public accountability. He further encouraged the Agency to amplify such efforts as a public education tool to underscore the consequences of drug crimes.

In his remarks, Director, Proceeds of Crime Management in NDLEA, Jerry Iorwa Aernan noted that participating auctioneers were pre-qualified by the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and had met the required integrity checks to ensure that disposed assets are not returned to original owners through the back door. He emphasized that successful bidders must pay 10 percent of their bid value within fourteen days to confirm their interest, while the full payment is expected within a stipulated timeframe.

Chinese bizman, 80-yr-old grandma arrested as NDLEA seizes Colos in moimoi sachets

 

By Ebinum Samuel

Intercepts Loud consignments in processed food cans from Canada; others in Lagos, Cross River, Edo, Ondo, Nasarawa, Borno, Niger, Ogun, Gombe, Kaduna, Kogi raids

 

A Chinese businessman Liang Tak You and an 80-year-old grandma Mrs. Grace Ekpeme top the list of arrests made by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in nationwide interdiction operations leading to the seizure of consignments of Colorado, a synthetic strain of cannabis hidden in moimoi sachets and Canadian Loud, another strong strain of cannabis concealed in canned food items imported from Canada.

Liang was arrested by NDLEA operatives at the arrival hall of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja Lagos on Friday 25th July 2025 based on actionable intelligence. The suspect, who arrived Nigeria from Bangkok via Dubai, UAE, on Emirates Airline flight, is a Chinese national, naturalised and based in Malaysia, but flew to Thailand where he picked two suitcases filled with 50 parcels of Loud weighing 26.10kg before heading to Nigeria via UAE.

Upon his arrival at the Lagos airport, NDLEA operatives who were tracking his movement from his port of departure allowed him to pass through necessary protocols before picking him up on his way out of the airport. The octogenarian grandma Mrs. Grace Ekpeme was arrested at Edet-Nsa street, Base Site, Calabar South, Cross River state with over 3kg skunk in the early hours of Saturday 26th July following intelligence on her drug dealing activities.

In Lagos, NDLEA operatives on Wednesday 23rd July intercepted a suspect Chidi Agbafo along Epe – Ajah expressway while taking consignments of 21.7kg Colorado, some of which were packaged in moimoi cooking sachets and 3.8litres of codeine based syrub in a commercial bus to deliver in Warri and Oghara, Delta state.

At the Apapa seaport in Lagos, a total of 101kg Canadian Loud factory packed in 202 tins of imported food item labelled ‘Bean Salad Mix’ and concealed in two Toyota Sienna buses in a container that came from Canada, were recovered. The discovery was made during a joint examination of the container by NDLEA officers, men of Customs Service and other security agencies on Friday 25th July.

No fewer than 71,000 pills of tramadol, diazepam and exol-5 were recovered from Usman Musa by NDLEA operatives on patrol along Abuja- Kaduna highway on Wednesday 23rd July when the suspect was travelling with the consignment of opioids in a commercial bus going to Kano.

In Borno, a 30-year-old lady Binta Usman was on Wednesday 23rd July arrested by NDLEA officers who recovered 30.1kg skunk from her house at Muna Moforo area of Maiduguri.

A follow up operation later led to the arrest of her accomplice Bala Abdullahi in the same area of the Borno state capital on Friday 25th July.

Three brothers: Nanna Ozirinye, Chizom Ozirinye and Maxwell Ozirinye were on Saturday 26th July arrested when NDLEA operatives raided a cannabis plantation at bending corner forest, Idoani, Ose local council area of Ondo State where they destroyed 2,500 kilograms of skunk on an hectare of land and recovered already processed 121.4kg of same psychoactive substance.

In Edo state, NDLEA officers on Wednesday 23rd July raided the Asakpa community in Benin city, where they arrested a 26-year-old lady Bright Sunday Okon and recovered various quantities of Colorado, Loud, Arizona and skunk, all strains of cannabis as well as Methamphetamine from her.

While a total of 105.4kg skunk was recovered by NDLEA operatives from an abandoned Honda car marked ABC 204 KM in Keffi, Nasarawa state, their counterparts in Niger state on Monday 21st July arrested a suspect Bashir Abdullahi with 6,400 pills of tramadol 225mg at Kasuwan Gwari area of Minna, even as a notorious drug dealer Jamiu Omolaja was taken into custody and 113kg skunk retrieved from his enclave in Ifo, Ogun state on Thursday 24th July after a violent resistance and attack on NDLEA operatives by members of his gang.

A total of 10,910 capsules of tramadol were seized from a suspect Adamu Adamu (a.k.a Dankyado) by NDLEA officers on patrol along Gombe-Bajoga road, Gombe state on Saturday 26th July, while operatives in Kogi state on Thursday 24th July intercepted a consignment of skunk concealed inside garri, dried scent leaves, and other food items along Okene-Lokoja highway. A follow-up operation in Abuja led to the arrest of 27-year-old Kindness Bala who was planning to travel to Katsina state with the cargo and later to Qatar. Similarly, operatives in Kogi on Saturday 26th July recovered 23,600 pills of tramadol, 300 ampoules of pentazocine injection and 700 grams of skunk from a truck at a motor park in Ayingba area of the state.

The War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, social advocacy activities by NDLEA Commands equally continued across the country in the past week. Some of them include: WADA sensitization lecture delivered to students and staff of Komu/Babaode High School, Babaode, Itesiwaju LGA, Oyo state; Beacon Christian Academy, Ngodo, Afikpo LGA, Ebonyi; Government Day Secondary School, Araba, Illela, Sokoto; and Government Junior College, Agege, Lagos; while the Anambra state command of NDLEA paid WADA advocacy visit to the traditional rulers of Awka community, Obi Gibson Nwosu, Ezeuzu 11 and Ukpo community, Igwe Robert Eze, Okofia VI, among others.

While commending the officers and men of MMIA, Apapa, Lagos, Cross River, Edo, Ondo, Nasarawa, Borno, Niger, Ogun, Gombe, Kaduna and Kogi Commands of the Agency for the arrests and seizures of the past week, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) praised their counterparts in all the commands across the country for pursuing a fair balance between their drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts.

Court Convicts Ex-NHIS Boss, Femi Thomas, BDC Operator For $2,198,900 Fraud In Lagos

 

By Ebinum Samuel

 

Justice Ayokunle Faji of the Federal High Courtw sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Thursday, July, 24, 2025, convicted the duo of Dr. Olufemi Martins Thomas, a former Executive Secretary, National Health Insurance Scheme, NHIS, and one Kabiru Sidi, a Bureau De Change Operator, for $2,198,900.00 fraud. Thomas was arraigned alongside Sidi on an amended seven-count charge bordering on money laundering to the tune of $2,198,900.00 brought against them by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

PSC VOWS TO FLUSH OUT DRUG ADDICTS IN POLICE UNIFORM, VISITS NDLEA, says it is dangerous to arm a drug addict

 

By Ebinum Samuel

The Police Service Commission has vowed to flush out drug addicts in the Nigeria Police Force and has extended an invitation to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency to assist the Commission achieve this noble objective.

 

The Commission today, Tuesday, July 22nd 2025 visited the Corporate Headquarters of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency where it formally met with the Agency’s Chairman and Chief Executive and his Management team.

 

Chairman of the Commission, DIG Hashimu Argungu rtd mni, used the occasion to invite the Agency to join the Commission in all the processes of screening prospective Nigerians who are desirious of joining the Nigeria Police Force.

 

DIG Argungu who was received by Brigadier General Buba Marwa, Chairman of the Agency said there was need for a functional partnership between the Commission and the Agency in the fight to eradicate drug abuse in the Nigeria Police.

 

He commended the Agency for the assistance in screening intakes of the Police Academy Wudil Kano which he said has drastically reduced the incidences of drug addiction by students of the Academy.

The PSC Chairman said there was need to upscale this assistance to cover the Recruitment processes in the Nigeria Police Force. “We want you to assist us fish out the drug addicts who obviously should not be allowed to get into and corrupt the system”. “We want to get it right and get the Police to work “.

 

DIG Argungu said it is dangerous to give fire arms to drug addicts and vowed that the Commission is poised to flush out such Officers in the Police Force.

 

The Chairman commended his host for his track record of excellence in the service of the nation.

 

General Marwa in his response, congratulated the Chairman on his deserved appointment and prayed for his success.

 

He pledged the Agency’s commitment to assist the Commission sanitize Police Recruitment. ” We will try our best to bring the menace to an end, but it requires intelligence, sharing intelligence, training etc” he noted.

 

Brigadier Marwa said there was also need to visit police barracks and Police Training colleges on advocacy and counselling.

 

He wished the PSC Chairman success on his new endeavour.