The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has secured the conviction of 10 Filipino sailors and their merchant vessel, MV Nord Bosporus, over the importation of 20 kilograms of cocaine through the Apapa seaport in Lagos.
The agency’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, disclosed on Wednesday that the Federal High Court in Lagos imposed fines and restitution totalling $6 million, alongside an additional N1.1 million penalty on the convicts.
According to him, the vessel and its crew were arrested on November 16, 2025, after NDLEA operatives intercepted the cocaine shipment concealed aboard the ship, which had departed from Santos, Brazil.
The agency subsequently filed a four-count charge against the defendants in suit number FHC/L/1232C/25 before the Federal High Court, with prosecution led by the Director of Prosecution and Legal Services, Theresa Asuquo.
The defendants pleaded guilty and entered into a plea bargain agreement with the prosecution.
Delivering judgment on Wednesday, Justice Ayokunle Faji convicted the vessel under Section 25 of the NDLEA Act, ordering it to pay a N100,000 fine and $5.35 million in restitution to the Federal Government.
The court further ruled that three principal officers of the vessel, the second, third, and fourth defendants, each pay a N100,000 fine and $100,000 in restitution, while the remaining seven crew members were fined N100,000 each and ordered to pay $50,000 apiece.
In total, the vessel and its crew are to pay $6 million and N1.1 million in fines and restitution.
Reacting to the judgment, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mohamed Buba Marwa, described the outcome as a significant milestone in the agency’s campaign against drug trafficking.
“The conviction is a resounding victory for the rule of law and a powerful testament to the renewed vigour of the NDLEA in our mission to rid Nigeria of illicit drugs,” Marwa said.
He noted that the hefty financial penalty would serve as a strong deterrent to international drug syndicates, adding that the agency is now focusing not only on seizures but also on dismantling the financial networks that sustain drug trafficking.
Marwa commended officers of the Apapa Strategic Command for their diligence in uncovering the hidden narcotics, as well as the Directorate of Prosecution and Legal Services and the judiciary for ensuring a swift trial.
“This synergy between the NDLEA and the courts is the nightmare of every drug baron, and we will continue to strengthen this partnership until every drug supply chain in Nigeria is dismantled,” he added.
He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to intensifying intelligence gathering and operational capacity, stressing that the fight against illicit drugs remains vital to protecting the nation’s security and the future of its youth.
