Four notorious drug traffickers—Ogbuji Christian Ifeanyi, Iloduba Augustine Chinonye, Shuaibu Nuhu Isa (a.k.a Don), and Zidon Zurga—have been convicted and sentenced to a combined total of 95 years in prison by the Federal High Court in Lagos and Yola, Adamawa State. The convictions stem from their involvement in trafficking cocaine and skunk worth over N4.6 billion.
Ogbuji Christian Ifeanyi, a 48-year-old businessman, was intercepted by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos on Wednesday, September 18, 2024. He was caught during the inward clearance of Ethiopian Airlines flight passengers from Addis Ababa to Lagos, attempting to smuggle 817 wraps of cocaine weighing 19.40 kilograms. The seized drugs have an estimated street value of N4.656 billion.
This arrest came just 16 months after Ogbuji was first convicted for drug trafficking. On May 10, 2023, he was arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) in Abuja upon arrival from Uganda via Addis Ababa. At the time, he had ingested 93 pellets of cocaine weighing 1.986 kilograms. He was arraigned before Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon of the Federal High Court in Abuja, convicted on July 13, 2023, and sentenced to two years in prison with an option to pay a N3 million fine. Ogbuji paid the fine and was released, only to return to drug trafficking.
The other convicts, Iloduba Augustine Chinonye, Shuaibu Nuhu Isa, and Zidon Zurga, were also found guilty of similar offenses related to the trafficking of cocaine and skunk. Their sentences reflect the severity of their crimes and the NDLEA’s commitment to combating drug trafficking in Nigeria.
The NDLEA has intensified its efforts to dismantle drug cartels and prosecute offenders, particularly those involved in large-scale trafficking. The agency’s spokesperson emphasized that the convictions send a strong message to drug traffickers and their networks, warning that the law will catch up with anyone involved in illicit drug activities.
“These convictions are a testament to the relentless efforts of the NDLEA in curbing drug trafficking and ensuring that offenders face the full wrath of the law,” the spokesperson stated.
The NDLEA urged the public to support its efforts by providing useful information to help combat drug-related crimes. The agency also reiterated its commitment to protecting the youth and the nation from the devastating effects of illicit drugs.
