A judge of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has convicted 10 Filipino sailors alongside their merchant vessel, MV Nord Bosporus, over the importation of 20 kilograms of cocaine into Nigeria.
The arrests were made at the Apapa seaport in November 2025 after authorities intercepted the illegal consignment. Following the discovery, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency filed multiple charges against the vessel and its crew.
During court proceedings, the defendants entered guilty pleas under a plea bargain arrangement. In his judgment, Justice Ayokunle Faji found the vessel culpable under relevant provisions of the NDLEA Act and imposed financial penalties.
The court ordered the vessel to pay a fine and substantial restitution running into millions of dollars. The three principal officers among the crew were also fined and directed to pay significant restitution sums, while the remaining crew members received similar penalties at slightly lower amounts. Altogether, the fines and restitution imposed in the case totalled $6 million and ₦1.1 million.
Reacting to the judgment, the Chairman of the NDLEA, Mohamed Buba Marwa, described the outcome as a major breakthrough in the fight against drug trafficking. He noted that the ruling sends a strong warning to international drug networks and maritime operators that Nigeria is tightening enforcement against the use of vessels for illicit drug transport.
He further stressed that the agency is intensifying its efforts not only to intercept illegal drugs but also to impose heavy consequences on those involved, including targeting the financial assets and operational tools of trafficking syndicates.
The NDLEA leadership also commended the coordination between investigators, prosecutors, and the judiciary, describing it as key to achieving swift and effective justice. Authorities maintain that the crackdown on drug trafficking will continue, with a focus on protecting national security and preventing the spread of illicit substances across the country.
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