A Federal High Court in Lagos has sentenced a businessman, Ajah Johnson Uchenna, and his wife, Rosemary Uchenna, to a combined 22 and a half years in prison for trafficking in illicit drugs.
The couple was arrested on June 13, 2025, by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) in the Ojo area of Lagos and subsequently handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) along with 277.5 kilograms of cannabis, commonly known as skunk.
According to NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, further intelligence revealed that despite being under investigation, the couple continued their drug operations. This prompted another raid by NDLEA operatives on July 1, leading to the seizure of an additional 231 kilograms of the same substance from their home and storage facility.
They were arraigned before Justice Deinde Dipeolu on a four-count charge marked FHC/L/632C/2025, bordering on conspiracy, dealing, and unlawful possession of 414.2 kilograms of cannabis sativa.
Delivering judgment on Monday, Justice Dipeolu convicted Rosemary Uchenna on three counts and sentenced her to 17 years in prison without the option of a fine. Her husband, Johnson Uchenna, was sentenced to five years without the option of a fine on count one and six months on count four, with an option of a ₦1 million fine.
The court also ordered the forfeiture of ₦3,407,000 recovered from the couple, believed to be proceeds from their drug business, to the Federal Government.
In a related case, Justice Simon Amobeda of the Federal High Court in Kano sentenced a 42-year-old Indian national, Neetu Neetu, to five years’ imprisonment for importing 11 kilograms of heroin disguised as chocolates.
Neetu was arrested on March 14 at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport with 72 factory-sealed parcels of heroin, which were concealed in her luggage and discovered during a search upon her arrival from Bangkok, Thailand, via Vietnam and Doha. She was convicted on two counts and given the option of a ₦2 million fine.
Also in Kano, Justice Mohammed Yunusa sentenced a 42-year-old Angolan businessman, Mbala Dajou Abuba, to five years in prison for ingesting 120 pellets of cocaine weighing 1.829 kilograms. He was intercepted at the airport while attempting to board an Egypt Air flight to Istanbul via Cairo.
In Enugu, the Federal High Court presided over by Justice M. G. Umar sentenced Eze Christian Ikenna to three years on each of two counts for trafficking and possession of 11.2 kilograms of cocaine. Eze was arrested on January 20, 2023, at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport with the drugs concealed in herbal tea sachets. The sentences are to run concurrently, starting from May 20, 2023.
Meanwhile, in a major breakthrough in the ongoing war against drug trafficking, the NDLEA secured a final forfeiture order on an 80-room hotel and lounge located at No. 16 Waziri Ibrahim Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, linked to a drug cartel. The property was raided between April 25 and 26, 2025, with operatives seizing 589 bags of Canadian Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, weighing 417.3 kilograms and valued at ₦1.04 billion.
The court also ordered the forfeiture of several vehicles and assets recovered from the premises, including multiple cars, television sets, air conditioners, fridges, and other items. The order was granted by Justice Ibrahim Ahmad Kala on July 18, following NDLEA’s motion marked FHC/L/MISC/447/2025.
NDLEA Chairman, Brigadier-General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended the agency’s officers and the judiciary for their commitment to justice.
“These convictions and forfeitures demonstrate that the long arm of the law will always catch up with drug traffickers. They serve as both punishment and deterrent,” Marwa said.
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