Four notorious drug kingpins have been convicted and sentenced to a total of 95 years in prison for trafficking cocaine and skunk worth over N4.6 billion. The Federal High Court in Lagos and Yola, Adamawa State, delivered the verdicts after a series of successful operations by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The convicts, identified as Ogbuji Christian Ifeanyi, Iloduba Augustine Chinonye, Shuaibu Nuhu Isa (aka Don), and Zidon Zurga, were caught in separate drug trafficking cases that exposed large-scale operations. The verdicts come as part of NDLEA’s continuous efforts to dismantle drug syndicates operating across Nigeria.
According to Femi Babafemi, spokesperson for the NDLEA, the first conviction involves Ogbuji Christian Ifeanyi, a 48-year-old businessman. Ogbuji was arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos on September 18, 2024, after he was found trying to smuggle 817 wraps of cocaine weighing 19.40 kilograms. The drugs, valued at an estimated N4.6 billion, were seized during a routine check of passengers arriving from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
This was Ogbuji’s second arrest in just over a year. In May 2023, he was arrested for ingesting 93 pellets of cocaine at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) in Abuja. Despite being convicted in July 2023 and sentenced to two years in prison with a fine, Ogbuji was arrested again in 2024 with a much larger shipment of cocaine.
“He was set free in 2023 after paying a fine for ingesting cocaine, but just over a year later, he was arrested with over N4 billion worth of drugs,”** Babafemi stated. **”This sends a clear message that NDLEA will not relent in its mission to take down drug traffickers, no matter how persistent they may be.”
Ogbuji was arraigned before Justice Yellim Bogoro of the Federal High Court in Lagos on January 16, 2025, and sentenced on February 28. He was given five years in prison for one count, with an option of paying a N7 million fine. For the second count, he was sentenced to 10 years without an option of fine, making his total jail term 15 years if he cannot pay the fine. The court also ordered the forfeiture of any items linked to his drug trade.
“Nnamdi Kanu has always been ready to face his trial,”** Ogbuji said through his lawyer. **”He is firmly convinced of his innocence. The recent events, which started with the recusal of the previous judge in September 2024, raised concerns about his constitutional rights, particularly his right to a fair and speedy trial.”
The second conviction involved Iloduba Augustine Chinonye, a 51-year-old drug trafficker arrested on New Year’s Eve, December 31, 2021, at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu. Iloduba, who had swallowed 58 wraps of cocaine, managed to expel 48 of them in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and later expelled the remaining 10 wraps in NDLEA custody after his arrest on January 1, 2022.
After three years of legal proceedings, the Federal High Court in Enugu convicted Iloduba on March 5, 2025. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison, five years for each of the two counts. His sentence will run concurrently, meaning he will serve 10 years for the crime.
The third case involved Shuaibu Nuhu Isa (also known as Don) and Zidon Zurga, two men arrested on November 25, 2024, along the Numan-Yola Road with 500.8 kilograms of skunk, a strong strain of cannabis. The drugs were concealed in two vehicles—a Toyota Hilux and a Prado SUV, both marked with fake government number plates.
The two were arrested by NDLEA officers during an intelligence-driven operation. They were later arraigned before Justice Bala Usman in Yola and convicted on February 7, 2025, each receiving 35 years in prison for their involvement in the trafficking of illicit drugs. If they fail to pay the N25 million fine imposed on them, they will serve a total of 70 years between them.
The court also ordered the forfeiture of the vehicles used to transport the drugs, marking another significant success for the NDLEA in its fight against drug cartels operating within the country.
Reacting to the convictions, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, praised the courts for their swift actions in convicting the four drug traffickers. He also commended the officers who had worked tirelessly to investigate and prosecute the cases.
“The conviction and the forfeiture of the convicts’ instruments of crime will further strengthen the deterrent effect of our ongoing effort to totally dismantle every drug network in the country,”said Marwa. “These sentences are a reminder that the NDLEA remains committed to eradicating the drug trade and ensuring that Nigeria becomes free from the stranglehold of drug cartels.”
The NDLEA has been a major force in combating drug trafficking in Nigeria. Over the past few years, the agency has made significant progress in capturing drug lords, busting large drug rings, and prosecuting those involved in the illicit trade. The agency has also been crucial in intercepting shipments of narcotics, including cocaine, heroin, and marijuana, as part of its broader mission to reduce drug abuse and its harmful effects on society.
The agency’s efforts have not been without challenges, including the increasing sophistication of drug trafficking operations. However, with strong partnerships between national and international law enforcement agencies, the NDLEA has managed to keep up with the evolving nature of the drug trade.
The impact of drug trafficking on Nigerian society is far-reaching. The illicit drug trade fuels organised crime, promotes violence, and fosters addiction, which in turn contributes to public health issues, especially among the youth. According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Nigeria has seen a rise in drug abuse, particularly among young people, with substances like cocaine, cannabis, and methamphetamines commonly used.
