11 Drug Kingpins Get 254-Year Jail Term As NDLEA Secures 974 Convictions

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has secured 974 convictions of 974 drug offenders across the country between January and March 2026.

The agency said 11 of the convicts, identified as major drug kingpins, were sentenced to a combined 254 years’ imprisonment.

The NDLEA Director, Media and Advocacy, Mr Femi Babafemi, made this known in a statement yesterday in Abuja.

Of those convicted, he said, 899 were male while 75 were female, reflecting the continued dominance of male offenders in the illicit drug trade network being dismantled by the agency.

He said the monthly figures showed 265 convictions in January, 316 in February, and 393 in March.

Babafemi said one of the high-profile convictions was that of an Italy-based businessman, Adegbite Solomon, alias “Obama”, who was sentenced to a cumulative 130 years imprisonment.

He said Solomon was arraigned on a 15-count charge before Justice Musa Kakaki of the Federal High Court, Lagos, in suit number FHC/L/851C/2025.

“Delivering judgment on 18 March, Justice Kakaki convicted the defendant on all 15 counts and sentenced him accordingly.

“The sentences are to run concurrently, while the court also ordered the revocation of his pharmacy licence and the forfeiture of two branches of his pharmacy business, as well as funds in three bank accounts to the Federal Government,” he said.

Babafemi also said that Ridwan Animashaun, 32, was sentenced to 25 years imprisonment by Justice Nkenoye Evelyn Maha of the Federal High Court, Ibadan, on Feb. 26.

He said Animashaun, a repeat offender, was previously convicted and sentenced to one year’s imprisonment in July 2022 for a similar offence.

In another case, Rauf Asogba, 28, and Seun Olaniyi, 24, were each sentenced to 17 years’ imprisonment by Justice Abiodun Jordan Adeyemi of the Federal High Court, Abeokuta, Ogun State, on 28 January 2026.

“They were convicted for trafficking 1,779 kilogrammes of skunk,” he said.

Babafemi further said that Jonathan Nuhu, 54, and Idris Yusuf, 40, were each sentenced to 15 years imprisonment in separate cases in Kano and Yobe States.

He added that Yusuf was also handed an additional eight-year jail term in another drug-related case.

“Other convicts include Godday Obizuo, Asabe Abubakar, Godwin Peter, Asuquo Christian and Olabode Sunday, who were each sentenced to seven years imprisonment for drug trafficking offences,” he added.

Reacting to the convictions, the NDLEA chairman, retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa described the sentencing of the 11 kingpins as a watershed moment in the fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking.

Marwa said the conviction of 974 offenders within three months sends a clear message that Nigeria is no longer a safe haven for drug traffickers.

“Securing 974 convictions in just three months is a testament to the relentless spirit of our officers and the resolve of the Nigerian state.

“To the 11 kingpins who thought they were untouchable, their 254-year collective jail term is a firm reminder that the long arm of the law has caught up with them,” he said.