. Conviction will send strong warning to int’l drug cartel, local collaborators, says
Marwa, commends NDLEA officers for diligent investigation and prosecution
After over three years of diligent prosecution by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency
(NDLEA), a Federal High Court in Lagos presided over by Justice Daniel Osiagor has
convicted 10 Thai sailors and their vessel named MV Chayanee Naree for trafficking 32.9
kilograms of cocaine from Brazil into Nigeria through the Apapa seaport, Lagos.
The convicted sailors who are all nationals of Thailand include: Krilerk Tanakhan; Boonlert
Hansoongnern; Jakkarin Booncharoen; Thammarong Put-tlek; Worrapat Paopinta; Marut
Kantaprom; Werapat Somboonying; Urkit Amsri; Panudet Jaisuk and Amrat Thawom.
They were first arraigned before the court along with nine Nigerian suspects by NDLEA in
February 2022 on offences bordering on conspiracy and unlawful transportation of the illicit
drug consignment from Brazil to Nigeria. The vessel, the convicted sailors and the nine
Nigerians were arrested on 13th October 2021, at the Apapa port in Lagos. The Nigerian
suspects are: Samuel Messiah; Ishaya Maisamari; Ilesanmi Ayo Abbey; Osabeye Stephen;
Gbenga Ogunfadeke; Kayode Buletiri; Rilwan Omotosho Liasu; Saidi Sule Alani and Jamiu
Adewale Yusuf.
They were all subsequently charged to court over the illegal acts which NDLEA prosecutors
argued contravened sections 11(a), 11 (b), and 14 (b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement
Agency Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and punishable under the same
Act. The convicted sailors had initially made a no-case submission which was dismissed
following submissions by the prosecution that a prima facie case had been established against
the vessel and its crew members. As a result, the trial judge ordered the convicted Thai sailors
and others to open their defence on the charges against them.
Following the court ruling, the convicted sailors opted for a plea bargain agreement with the
NDLEA and as a result, Justice Osiagor delivered his ruling at the resumed hearing of the
matter on Thursday 15th May 2025. Among other penalties, the judge convicted the Vessel MV
Chayanee Naree for unlawful transportation of 32.9kg of cocaine into Nigeria and
ordered to pay a fine of $4 million or its Naira equivalent.
The 2nd – 11th defendants were convicted under section 25 of the NDLEA Act for permitting
the use of the vessel for the unlawful transportation of 32.9kg of cocaine, while the 2nd, 3rd
and 4th defendants were ordered to pay N100,000.00 each as punishment for the offence and in addition restitution in the sum of $50,000 USD each or its equivalent in Naira to the Federal
Government of Nigeria. The 5th – 11th defendants are to pay N100,000.00 each and restitution
in the sum of $30,000.00, bringing the total amount payable to Four Million Three Hundred
and Sixty Thousand US Dollars ($4,360,000.00).
Justice Osiagor thereafter adjourned the trial of the nine Nigerian suspects to June 25.
While the prosecution was led by the Agency’s Director of Prosecution and Legal Services,
DCGN Theresa Asuquo, supported by A. Adebayo and Paul Awogbuyi, the defence team was
led by the trio of Messrs Babajide Koku, Femi Atoyebi and Tunde Adejuyigbe, all Senior
Advocates of Nigeria (SAN).
In his reaction, Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd)
said the court ruling was a strong message to the international drug cartel and their local
collaborators that Nigeria will never be a safe hub for illicit drug trafficking. He commended
the NDLEA prosecution team and officers of the Apapa Strategic Command involved in the
arrest, seizure and investigation of the shipment for their diligence and resilience in following
the case to a logical conclusion. He charged them not to relent in pursuing the other part of the
case still pending.
Femi Babafemi
Director, Media & Advocacy
NDLEA Headquarters Abuja
Thursday 15th May 2025
