Businessman Jailed Two Years for Tramadol Trafficking in Lagos

Lagos, Nigeria – A Federal High Court in Lagos has sentenced businessman Omoruyi Terry to two years imprisonment without the option of a fine for unlawfully exporting 800 grammes of Tramadol. Justice Ayokunle Faji handed down the sentence on Monday after Terry pleaded guilty to a one-count charge filed against him by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

Terry, described as a “cross-border drug trafficker,” was apprehended on March 19, 2025, at the Terminal II Screening Hall of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos. He was attempting to board Qatar Airways Flight No. QR1406 bound for Venice via Doha when the psychotropic substance, Tramadol (225mg), was discovered.

During sentencing, Omoruyi’s counsel, Oreofe Ogunleye, pleaded for leniency, emphasizing that his client was a first-time offender who had not wasted the court’s time by admitting guilt early.

While Justice Faji acknowledged these points, he dismissed Terry’s claim of ignorance regarding the nature of the substance.

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“I do not believe the story that he didn’t know Tramadol is a controlled substance,” Justice Faji stated, noting Terry’s frequent international travels. “This is someone who has travelled between Nigeria and Italy at least twice a month for the past three years. He cannot convincingly claim ignorance.”

The judge consequently sentenced Omoruyi to two years’ imprisonment, effective from the date of his arrest.
This conviction comes amidst ongoing efforts by the NDLEA to curb drug trafficking in Nigeria. The agency has reported significant arrests and convictions in recent years, demonstrating a sustained crackdown on illicit drug activities across the country.