Ten Thai nationals have been convicted by a Federal High Court in Lagos after they were found culpable in trafficking 32.9 kilograms of cocaine into Nigeria.
The court also found their vessel, MV Chayanee Naree, guilty of facilitating the smuggling operation, which originated from Brazil and ended at Apapa Seaport, Lagos, in October 2021.
Presiding Judge, Justice Daniel Osiagor, handed down the judgment after a three-year trial led by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, which successfully prosecuted the sailors and their vessel. The sailors were originally charged in February 2022 alongside nine Nigerian nationals for conspiracy and the unlawful importation of narcotics.
Initially, the Thai crew members entered a no-case submission, arguing the prosecution had failed to prove their involvement. However, this was dismissed by the court, which found that the NDLEA had established a prima facie case. Subsequently, the defendants opted for a plea bargain deal, paving the way for Thursday’s conviction.
READ ALSO:Â NDLEA nabs woman with cocaine in private part
Justice Osiagor ruled that MV Chayanee Naree be fined $4 million (or its Naira equivalent). Additionally, the 2nd to 11th defendants were convicted under Section 25 of the NDLEA Act for permitting their vessel to be used for the illegal shipment.
The 2nd to 4th defendants must each pay a fine of ₦100,000 and restitution of $50,000. The remaining crew members (5th to 11th) were fined ₦100,000 each and ordered to pay $30,000 in restitution — bringing the total financial penalty to $4.36 million.
The case against the nine Nigerian co-defendants continues and has been adjourned to June 25, 2025.
Leading the prosecution were DCGN Theresa Asuquo and her team from the NDLEA, while the defense was represented by top Nigerian Senior Advocates Babajide Koku, Femi Atoyebi, and Tunde Adejuyigbe.
NDLEA Chairman, Brigadier General Buba Marwa, rtd, praised the outcome, emphasizing that the ruling sends a strong signal to international drug syndicates that Nigeria is not a safe haven for drug trafficking.
He also lauded the agency’s officers for their diligence and urged them to maintain the momentum in the pending prosecutions.
The Conclave
