Lagos court sentences former footballer, fugitive cocaine kingpin to 24 years imprisonment

• Segun Hunkarin, a former international footballer, and Ntoruka Chinedu, a fugitive drug kingpin, were sentenced to a combined 24 years' imprisonment for importing cocaine into Nigeria.
• The NDLEA's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer commended the agency's officers involved in the arrest, investigation, and prosecution of the case.
• The judgment sets a precedent for the application of NDLEA Act provisions in sentencing drug traffickers.
• Hunkarin was arrested at the airport car park while waiting to receive the consignment, while Chinedu was re-arrested after nearly 10 years on the run.
• The case highlights the importance of inter-agency collaboration in combating narcotics crimes.

This judgment sets a precedent for the application of NDLEA Act provisions in sentencing drug traffickers, highlighting the importance of effective law enforcement in combating narcotics crimes.

The Federal High Court in Lagos has delivered a significant verdict in the fight against drug trafficking, sentencing two individuals to a combined 24 years' imprisonment for importing cocaine into Nigeria. Segun Hunkarin, a former international footballer, and Ntoruka Chinedu, a fugitive drug kingpin, were found guilty of conspiracy and unlawful importation of 800 grams of cocaine. This judgment sets a precedent for the application of NDLEA Act provisions in sentencing drug traffickers, highlighting the importance of effective law enforcement in combating narcotics crimes.

The case against Hunkarin and Chinedu began in September 2015, when Chinedu was first arraigned over the importation of 6.25kg of cocaine. However, he absconded after being granted bail, remaining at large for nearly 10 years before being re-arrested on June 24, 2025, while attempting to smuggle another 800 grams of cocaine into the country.

The investigation revealed that Chinedu had travelled from Turkey and transited through Ethiopia, where he allegedly collected the cocaine-laden luggage before arriving in Nigeria. Hunkarin, who had previously played professional football in Brazil, was arrested at the airport car park while waiting to receive the consignment.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has been commended for its dogged pursuit of justice in this case. The agency's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), described the conviction as a reaffirmation of the judiciary's commitment to combating drug trafficking. He praised the officers involved in the arrest, investigation, and prosecution of the case, highlighting their thoroughness and patience in tracking down fugitives.

The NDLEA's efforts have been instrumental in bringing Chinedu to justice after nearly 10 years on the run. The agency's commitment to working with the judiciary and other stakeholders to ensure that drug traffickers are brought to justice regardless of their status or how long they evade arrest is commendable. This verdict serves as a reminder of the importance of inter-agency collaboration in combating narcotics crimes.

The NDLEA has been at the forefront of efforts to combat drug trafficking in Nigeria, and this judgment demonstrates its effectiveness in pursuing justice. The agency's dedication to its mandate is evident in its relentless pursuit of fugitives like Chinedu.

The NDLEA Act provisions were central to the sentencing of Hunkarin and Chinedu. Delivering judgment on Friday, Justice Musa Kakaki sentenced Chinedu to 20 years' imprisonment without an option of fine for the 2015 cocaine importation case and an additional two years for conspiring with Hunkarin to import the 800 grams of cocaine. Hunkarin was sentenced to two years' imprisonment for conspiracy, bringing the combined jail terms to 24 years.

The court's decision highlights the importance of effective law enforcement in combating narcotics crimes. The NDLEA Act provisions provide a framework for sentencing drug traffickers, and this judgment demonstrates the judiciary's commitment to upholding these provisions. The verdict serves as a warning to would-be drug traffickers that they will be brought to justice regardless of their status or how long they evade arrest.

The case has significant implications for lawyers advising clients on compliance with anti-narcotics laws. This judgment sets a precedent for the application of NDLEA Act provisions in sentencing drug traffickers, and lawyers should be aware of this development when advising clients.

This judgment sets a precedent for the application of NDLEA Act provisions in sentencing drug traffickers, and lawyers should be aware of this development when advising clients on compliance with anti-narcotics laws.

Source: Original reporting via Punch Newspapers