A federal high court in Lagos has convicted 10 Thai sailors of trafficking 32.9kg of cocaine from Brazil to the shores of Nigeria.
Daniel Osiagor, the trial judge, delivered the judgment on Thursday after the Thai sailors entered a plea bargain agreement.
The convicted Thailand nationals are Krilerk Tanakhan, Boonlert Hansoongnern, Jakkarin Booncharoen, Thammarong Put-tlek, Worrapat Paopinta, Marut Kantaprom, Werapat Somboonying, Urkit Amsri, Panudet Jayson and Amrat Thawom.
THE CASE
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In October 2021, the Nigerian Navy arrested 22 Thai nationals trafficking 32.9kg of cocaine from Brazil to the shores of Nigeria.
Navy operatives arrested the sailors following an intelligence report from the United Kingdom (UK) border force.
The sailors were arrested alongside their Nigerian accomplices at the Apapa ports in Lagos state.
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Their vessel named MV Chayanee Naree was also seized during the arrest.
In February 2022, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) arraigned the 10 sailors and nine Nigerian suspects on offences bordering on conspiracy and unlawful transportation of the illicit drug consignment from Brazil to Nigeria.
The names of the Nigerian suspects are Samuel Messiah, Ishaya Maisamari, Ilesanmi Ayo Abbey, Osabeye Stephen, Gbenga Ogunfadeke, Kayode Buletiri, Rilwan Omotosho Liasu, Saidi Sule Alani and Jamiu Adewale Yusuf.
During the court proceedings, the prosecution team presented its case against the defendants.
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A statement by Femi Babafemi, NDLEA spokesperson, said the defence team filed a no-case submission.
Subsequently, the court dismissed the no-case submission application and ordered the defence to open its case.
After the dismissal of the application, the Thai sailors entered a plea bargain agreement with the NDLEA.
In his ruling, the trial judge convicted the vessel and the first defendant for unlawful transportation of cocaine into Nigeria and ordered the payment of a fine of $4 million or its naira equivalent to the federal government.
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The judge ordered the second to the fourth defendants to pay N100,000 each as punishment for the offence and a restitution of $50,000 each or its naira equivalent to the federal government.
Osiagor said the fifth to eleventh defendants are to pay N100,000.00 each and restitution of $30,000 each to the federal government.
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The total fines-imposed amount to $4,360,000.
The judge adjourned the trial of the nine Nigerian suspects to June 25.
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