NDLEA Arraigns Vessel, 10 Filipinos For Alleged Trafficking Of 20kg Cocaine

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arraigned a vessel, MV Nord Bosporus, and its 10 Filipino crew members before Justice Ayokunle Faji of the Federal High Court in Lagos, for allegedly importing 20 kilograms of cocaine into Nigeria.

The vessel and Filipinos, Eugene Quinos Corpuz, Mark Joseph Jardiniano, Alexis Navidad Evarrola, Francis Gerard Niones Carpio, Franz Jude Mayran, Mahinay Junniel Lagura, Mario Ganiban Malvar, Hormachuelos Lordito Guivencan, Joshua Emmanuel Hufanda, and Edwin Baltazar Reyes were arraigned on a three-count charge.

In a charge marked FHC/L1232c/2025, the prosecutor, Theresa Asuquo, informed the court that the vessel and the defendants were arrested on 16 November 2025 at the GDNL Terminal, Apapa Port, Lagos.

The prosecutor stated that the foreigners conspired and unlawfully imported 20 kilograms of cocaine aboard the MV Nord Bosporus.

The alleged illegal acts are contrary to Sections 11(b) and 14(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

All defendants pleaded not guilty.

Despite their pleas, Asuquo informed the court that parties have signed a plea bargain agreement, pursuant to 270(4) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, and that the prosecution intends to file an amended charge.

She requested a date for the hearing.

Femi Atoyebi (SAN), lead counsel for the defendants, confirmed that the plea bargain agreement has been filed and asked for a date to hear it.

By mutual consent, Justice Faji adjourned the matter to Tuesday, 17 March, for further hearing.

The charges specify that on or about 16 November 2025, MV Nord Bosporus illegally transported 20 kg of cocaine from Santos, Brazil, into Nigeria, at GDNL Terminal, Lagos, in violation of Section 14 (b) of the NDLEA Act.

They also state that the defendants conspired between October and November 2025 to import the cocaine aboard MV Nord Bosporus unlawfully, and on 16 November 2025, illegally imported the drug at Apapa port, punishable under Section 11(a).