Alleged Drug Trafficking: Lagos Socialite Learns Fate February 13

Justice Deinde Dipeolu of a Federal High Court in Lagos will on February 13, 2026, deliver judgment on the alleged drug trafficking charges against popular Lagos socialite, Mrs Funmilola Arike Ogbuaya, also known as Ariket.

Justice Dipeolu fixed the date after both the lawyer to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Abu Ibrahim, and the defence lawyer, Yakubu Galadima, adopted their final written arguments.
The defendant, also known as Funmilola Ogundipe, was arraigned before the court by the NDLEA on a four-count charge of conspiracy, illegal possession, aiding and abetting, and attempting to smuggle 1.595 kg of cocaine into Saudi Arabia.

She was re-arraigned on April 24, 2024, alongside Odeyemi Omolola, her alleged co-conspirator, who is currently serving 25 years in prison for drug trafficking.

Both Ariket and Omolola were initially arraigned in 2017 before Justice Hadizat Rabiu-Shagari (now an Appeal Court Judge) on a five-count charge of conspiracy, aiding and abetting, unlawful possession, and attempting to export the banned drug.

While Omolola, also known as Ariyo Monsurat Olabisi, pleaded guilty to the charge and is now serving a 25-year sentence, Ariket pleaded not guilty and was granted bail.

However, she later changed her plea to guilty for attempting to export the drug illegally and was sentenced to 25 years.

Her appeal against conviction was dismissed on February 26, 2021, with the appellate court affirming Justice Shagari’s judgment.

After about ten years, both Ariket and Omolola were re-arraigned before Justice Dipeolu on another charge of drug trafficking.

Again, Ariket maintained her innocence and pleaded not guilty, while Omolola pleaded guilty and was sentenced to an additional 15 years, running concurrently with her previous sentence.

During the trial, Ibrahim called nine witnesses and presented several exhibits.

After the prosecution closed its case earlier this year, Ariket’s lawyer filed a No-Case-Submission, which was dismissed by the court, stating that a prima facie case had been established against the defendant.

Justice Dipeolu held that the evidence presented was sufficient for the defendant to defend herself and therefore opened the floor for her to respond.

In her defence, Ariket and her daughter, Oluwadunmininu Ogbuaya, testified as the first and second witnesses.

Following their testimonies, both sides filed their written arguments, which the court adopted.

The charges alleged that Odeyemi Omolara (Ariyo Monsurat Olabisi) and Funmilola Arike Ogbuaya conspired to export 1.595 kg of cocaine on February 23, 2017, an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 14(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.