Drug Kingpins Jailed For N4.6bn Narcotics Trafficking

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has secured a combined 95-year prison sentence for four major drug traffickers involved in smuggling cocaine and high-potency cannabis (skunk) worth over N4.6 billion. The convicted individuals include Ogbuji Christian Ifeanyi, Iloduba Augustine Chinonye, Shuaibu Nuhu Isa (also known as Don), and Zidon Zurga.

Drug Traffickers Convicted for N4.6 Billion Narcotics Smuggling

The Federal High Courts in Lagos and Yola, Adamawa State, delivered the verdicts in separate rulings, holding the criminals accountable for large-scale narcotics distribution.

Cocaine Smuggling at Lagos Airport: Ogbuji Christian Ifeanyi’s Case

NDLEA operatives apprehended Ogbuji Christian Ifeanyi at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos, on September 18, 2024, during the inward clearance of Ethiopian Airlines passengers arriving from Addis Ababa. He was found carrying 817 wraps of cocaine, weighing 19.40 kilograms, with a street value of N4.65 billion.

This arrest came just 16 months after his previous conviction for ingesting 93 pellets of cocaine. Ogbuji had earlier been arrested on May 10, 2023, at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja, for ingesting 1.986 kg of cocaine. He was convicted on July 13, 2023, by Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon of the Federal High Court in Abuja (Charge No: FHC/ABJ/CR/192/2023) and sentenced to two years in prison or a N3 million fine, which he paid for his release.

Undeterred, he resumed drug trafficking and was re-arrested at Lagos Airport on September 18, 2024. He was arraigned before Justice Yellim Bogoro of the Federal High Court, Lagos (Charge No: FHC/L/845C) on January 16, 2025, and sentenced on February 28, 2025, to:

Five years imprisonment on Count One, with an option of a N7 million fine.
Ten years imprisonment on Count Two, without an option of a fine.

If he fails to pay the fine, he will serve a total of 15 years in prison. Additionally, the court ordered the forfeiture of all monetary exhibits and other items found on him at the time of his arrest.

Iloduba Augustine Chinonye’s Conviction for Cocaine Smuggling

Iloduba Augustine Chinonye, 51, was arrested on December 31, 2021, at Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, after he ingested 58 wraps of cocaine. While in transit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, he expelled 48 wraps, and the remaining 10 were recovered after his arrest on January 1, 2022.

After three years of prosecution, he was convicted by Justice Folashade Giwa Ogunbanjo of the Federal High Court, Enugu (Charge No: FHC/EN/CR/18/2022) and sentenced on March 5, 2025, to:

Five years imprisonment on each count, totaling 10 years in jail.

The court ruled that his sentence would run concurrently from the date of his conviction.

Shuaibu Nuhu Isa and Zidon Zurga’s 70-Year Sentence for Cannabis Trafficking

On November 25, 2024, NDLEA operatives arrested Shuaibu Nuhu Isa (55) and Zidon Zurga (50) along the Numan-Yola Road, Adamawa State. They were caught transporting 500.8 kg of skunk hidden in:

A Toyota Hilux (Lagos NT 829 AAA)
A Prado SUV with a fake Presidency number plate (01B-266 FG)

Following their arraignment before Justice Bala Usman of the Federal High Court, Yola (Charge No: FHC/YL/150/2024), they were convicted on February 7, 2025, and sentenced to:

35 years imprisonment each on two counts, totaling 70 years combined.
An alternative fine of N25 million each.

The court also ordered the interim forfeiture of both vehicles used in drug transportation.

NDLEA Chairman Commends Judiciary and Anti-Narcotics Efforts

Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd.), Chairman/CEO of NDLEA, praised the trial courts and investigative teams at MMIA, Akanu Ibiam International Airport, and Adamawa State Commands for their thorough work.

“These convictions and asset forfeitures will strengthen the deterrent effect of our ongoing efforts to dismantle drug syndicates in Nigeria,” Marwa stated.

Impact of These Convictions on Drug Trafficking in Nigeria

These landmark convictions mark significant progress in Nigeria’s battle against illicit drug trafficking. With continued enforcement and stringent legal consequences, the NDLEA aims to curb the operations of drug syndicates across the country.

For more updates on Nigeria’s drug enforcement policies, visit the official NDLEA website.