The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has convicted 10 sailors who are citizens of Thailand, for trafficking 32. 9 kilograms of Cocaine.
Justice Daniel Osiagor convicted them alongside their vessel, MV Chayanee Naree, which was said to have been used in smuggling the prohibited drugs into Nigeria.
The convicts are: Krilerk Tanakhan, Boonlert Hansoongnern, Jakkarin Booncharoen, Thammarong Put-tlek, Worrapat Paopinta, Marut Kantaprom, Werapat Somboonying, Urkit Amsri, Panudet Jaisuk, and Amrat Thawom.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) first arraigned the vessel and convicted sailors before the court alongside nine Nigerians on the alleged offences in February 2022.
The Nigerians are: Samuel Messiah; Ishaya Maisamari; Ilesanmi Ayo Abbey; Osabeye Stephen; Gbenga Ogunfadeke; Kayode Buletiri; Rilwan Omotosho Liasu; Saidi Sule Alani, and Jamiu Adewale Yusuf.
The vessel, the convicted sailors and the nine Nigerians were arrested on October 13, 2021, at Apapa, Lagos, on their arrival from Brazil.
They were charged before the court on the charges bordering on conspiracy, unlawful transportation and unlawful importation of 32. 9 kilograms of Cocaine.
According to the NDLEA, their illegal acts contravened sections 11 (b), 11(a), and 14 (b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and were punishable under the same Act.
The convicted Thais and their Nigerian alleged co-conspirators were accused of committing the acts alongside the trio of Kehinde Enoch, Ayo Joseph and one Tunde, all said to be at large.
The NDLEA prosecutors prosecuted the convicted sailors, including Mrs Theresa Asuquo, A. Adebayo, and Paul Awogbuyi.
Their lawyers, Babajide Koku, Femi Atoyebi, and Tunde Adejuyigbe, Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN), defended them.
Upon the conclusion of the NDLEA’s case, the convicted sailors opted for No-Case Submission instead of opening their defence against the allegations against them. However, the prosecutors contended that they had established a prima facie case against the vessel and its Crew.
In deciding the No-Case-Submission, Justice Osiagor acceded to the prosecution’s submissions and held that the prosecution had established a prima facie case against the vessel and its Crew members.
The judge therefore ordered the convicted Thais and others to open their defence against the charges against them.
The convicted sailors entered a plea bargain agreement with the NDLEA based on the court’s ruling.
At today’s resumed hearing of the matter for judgment, and based on the plea bargain agreement, Justice Osiagor ordered the vessel to pay a fine of $4 million USD or Naira equivalent.
Regarding the convicted sailors, the judge ordered the three Captains of the vessel, namely Krilerk Tanakhan, Boonlert Hansoo,gnern, and Jakkarin Booncharoen, to pay $ 50,000 00 USD. The other crew members had to pay USD 30,000 each. The other convicted sailors were ordered to pay the sum of N100,000. 00 as an acceptable option. Meanwhile, the trial of the nine Nigerians has been adjourned to June 25.
