By Stephen Simon
A Federal High Court in Lagos has convicted and sentenced a Nigerian, Akputa Dickson Ejike, to five years imprisonment for trafficking 5.80 kilograms of cocaine concealed in imported dried stock fish, popularly known as “Okporoko.”
Justice Musa Kakaki handed down the sentence on Wednesday after Ejike, 36, pleaded guilty to a two-count charge filed against him by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The NDLEA prosecutor, Abu Ibrahim, told the court that the convict was arrested on March 18, 2026, with 5.80 kilograms of cocaine hidden inside the heads of imported dried fish in an attempt to evade detection.
According to the prosecutor, Ejike, who resides at No. 10 Peace Close, Alasela, Ogombo, Ajah, Lagos State, committed the offence in collaboration with a woman identified as Madam Kelechi, also known as Madam KC, who is currently at large.
The prosecution stated that the offences contravened Sections 14(b) and 20(1)(c) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, Cap N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and are punishable under Section 20(2)(b) of the same Act.
One of the charges alleged that Ejike and the fleeing suspect conspired on March 18, 2026, to traffic 5.80 kilograms of cocaine, while the second count accused him of unlawfully possessing the narcotic drug for the purpose of exportation.
When the charges were read to him, Ejike admitted committing the offences and pleaded guilty.
Following his plea, the prosecutor reviewed the facts of the case through an NDLEA operative and tendered exhibits recovered during the investigation, which were admitted by the court.
After considering the evidence and the convict’s guilty plea, Justice Kakaki found Ejike guilty as charged and sentenced him to five years imprisonment. The court also ordered the forfeiture of the seized cocaine to the Federal Government for destruction in accordance with the law.
The judge held that the sentence was necessary to serve as a deterrent to others involved in the illicit drug trade and reaffirmed the judiciary’s commitment to supporting efforts to curb drug trafficking in the country.
