Courts Jails 974 Suspects for Drug Offences in 3 Months

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has secured the convictions of nine hundred and seventy-four drug suspects, including eleven kingpins, within the first three months of this year. NDLEA spokesman, FEMI BABAFEMI, said the drug convicts, including seventy-five women, were awarded a combined jail term of two hundred and fifty-four years. BABAFEMI disclosed in a statement that one of the convicted kingpins is Italy-based forty-two-year-old businessman, ADEGBITE SOLOMON, alias Obama, who was jailed for fifteen years concurrently by Justice MUSA KAKAKI of the Federal High Court in Lagos.  Justice KAKAKI also ordered the revocation of ADEGBITE’s pharmacy license and the forfeiture of two branches of his pharmaceutical stores, plus the forfeiture of funds in his three bank accounts to the Federal Government. In another development, Justice NKENOYE EVELYN MAHA of the Federal High Court in Ibadan, Oyo State jailed thirty-two-year-old repeat drug offender, RIDWAN ANIMASHAUN, for twenty-five years for drug trafficking.  Similarly, twenty-eight-year-old RAUF ASOGBA, and twenty-four-year-old SEUN OLANIYI, were tried before Justice ABIODUN JORDAN ADEYEMI of the Federal High Court in Abeokuta, Ogun State, and jailed for seventeen years each for trafficking the Skunk variant of Cannabis. Elsewhere; Justice Mohammed NASIR YUNUSA of the Federal High Court in Kano convicted and jailed fifty-four-year-old JONATHAN NUHU for fifteen years, while Justice Fatima Murtala Nyako of the Federal High Court in Damaturu, Yobe State jailed forty-year-old IDRIS YUSUF for eight years. Other convicts listed in the NDLEA statement, who got seven years imprisonment each for drug trafficking offences include GODDAY OBIZUO, ASABE ABUBAKAR, GODWIN PETER, ASUQUO CHRISTIAN and OLABODE SUNDAY. Following the development, the NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier General MOHAMED BUBA MARWA (Rtd) described the sentencing of the eleven drug kingpins as a watershed moment in the war against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking.  MARWA noted that the conviction of 974 offenders between January and March 2026 sends an unambiguous message that Nigeria was no longer a safe haven for those who trade in human lives and derive pleasure in destroying the lives of the nation’s youth. According to him, “Securing 974 convictions in just three months is a testament to the relentless spirit of our officers and the thinning patience of the Nigerian state toward drug merchants. To the 11 kingpins who thought they were untouchable, their 254-year collective residency in correctional centres is a firm reminder that the long arm of the law has finally caught up with their greed." MARWA commended the Judiciary for the accelerated hearing of the cases, noting that swift justice is the most potent deterrent. To officers, men and women of the Agency, he said "Your bravery in the face of danger is yielding fruit. We will continue to prioritize your welfare and provide the tools needed to stay ahead of these criminal syndicates." He urged Nigerians to remain vigilant, adding that “these victories belong to the citizens who provide the intelligence that fuels our operations."