Couple sentenced to 22 years imprisonment for drug trafficking

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intensified its crackdown on illicit drug trafficking across Nigeria, securing a string of major convictions and asset forfeitures in recent weeks.

A Lagos Federal High Court, presided by Justice Deinde Dipeolu, on Monday, August 4, 2025, sentenced businessman Ajah Johnson Uchenna and his wife, Rosemary Uchenna, to a combined 22.5 years imprisonment for dealing in illegal drugs. The couple was apprehended on June 13, 2025, in the Ojo area with 277.5kg of skunk, a potent cannabis strain. Subsequent raids on their residence and packing store uncovered an additional 231kg, bringing the total to 414.2kg of cannabis sativa.

During sentencing (charge number FHC/L/632C/2025), Justice Dipeolu convicted Rosemary Uchenna on three counts and sentenced her to 17 years’ imprisonment without the option of a fine. Her husband, Johnson Ajah Uchenna, received a five-year prison term without option of a fine on one count and six months (with a ₦1million fine option) on another. The judge also ordered the forfeiture of ₦3,407,000 recovered from the couple as proceeds of their drug crimes.

In related operations, the NDLEA secured convictions in Kano and Enugu:

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●In Kano, a 42-year-old Indian woman, Neetu Neetu, was jailed for 10 years or fined ₦2million after authorities found 72 packets of heroin (11kg) disguised as chocolates in her luggage at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport.

●Angolan businessman, Mbala Dajou Abuba, was sentenced to five years for ingesting 120 pellets of cocaine (1.8kg) while attempting to board a flight to Istanbul.

●In Enugu, Eze Christian Ikenna was convicted for trafficking 11.2kg of cocaine concealed in herbal tea sachets. He received six years in prison (to run concurrently) from Justice M.G. Umar, effective May 20, 2023.

Perhaps the most significant blow to drug syndicates was the court-ordered final forfeiture of an 80-room hotel and lounge on Victoria Island, Lagos, which served as a cover for illicit drug distribution. NDLEA officers raided the luxury hotel at No. 16 Waziri Ibrahim Street on April 25-26, 2025, recovering 589 bags of Canadian Loud (a premium cannabis strain) weighing 417.3kg and valued at over ₦1.04billion. Three suspects were arrested during the operation, while several vehicles and electronic appliances were seized.

Justice Ibrahim Ahmad Kala of the Federal High Court in Lagos ordered the forfeiture of the hotel, eight vehicles—including a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, Toyota Sienna, Volkswagen Delivery Van, and others—as well as 84 TV sets, 70 air conditioners, and 13 refrigerators. The assets are now under federal government control as proceeds of crime.

NDLEA Chairman/CEO, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), hailed the convictions and confiscations as essential steps toward justice and deterrence, commending law enforcement officers and the judiciary for their prompt handling of these cases.

These high-profile actions highlight the NDLEA’s renewed commitment to eradicating drug crime in Nigeria, signaling a warning to traffickers that ill-gotten gains will not remain out of reach.