A Federal High Court in Lagos has convicted 10 Filipino sailors and their merchant vessel, MV Nord Bosporus, over the trafficking of 20 kilograms of cocaine into Nigeria, imposed a total fine of $6 million and an additional N1.1 million penalty.
The sailors and the vessel were arrested on November 16, 2025, by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Apapa seaport following the discovery of cocaine concealed within cargo onboard the ship, which arrived from Santos, Brazil.
The NDLEA subsequently filed a four-count charge against the defendants at the Federal High Court, Lagos, in suit number FHC/L/1232C/25. The prosecution was led by the Agency’s Director of Prosecution and Legal Services, Theresa Asuquo. The accused persons later entered a plea bargain agreement and pleaded guilty to the charges.
Delivering judgment on Wednesday, Justice Ayokunle Faji found the vessel guilty under Section 25 of the NDLEA Act and ordered it to pay a N100,000 fine alongside a restitution of $5.35 million to the Federal Government.
The court also convicted the vessel’s three principal officers, who were ordered to pay N100,000 each and $100,000 in restitution. The remaining crew members were similarly fined N100,000 each and ordered to pay $50,000 in restitution.
The combined penalties bring the total financial sanctions to $6 million and N1.1 million.
Reacting to the judgment, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mohamed Buba Marwa, described the ruling as a major victory against drug trafficking and a clear warning to international cartels.
He said the judgment sent “an unambiguous signal” that Nigeria’s territorial waters are no longer safe for illicit drug operations, added that the agency is now targeting not just the drugs but also the financial backbone of trafficking networks.
Marwa commended officers of the NDLEA Apapa Strategic Command for their vigilance and praised the Directorate of Prosecution and Legal Services for diligent handling of the case. He also acknowledged the judiciary for the speedy trial, noting that strengthened collaboration between law enforcement and the courts would continue to dismantle drug supply chains.
The NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, in a statement on Wednesday, reiterated the agency’s commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s youth and national security through intensified anti-narcotics operations.
