A Federal High Court in Lagos presided by Justice Daniel Osiagor has convicted ten (10) Thailand sailors and their vessel, MV Chayanee Naree, for trafficking 32.9 kilograms of cocaine from Brazil into Nigeria through the Apapa seaport in Lagos.
The convicts who were diligently prosecuted for over three years by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) were fined $4.3 million by the court.
The convicted Thai sailors include Krilerk Tanakhan, Boonlert Hansoongnern, Jakkarin Booncharoen, Thammarong Put-tlek, Worrapat Paopinta, Marut Kantaprom, Werapat Somboonying, Urkit Amsri, Panudet Jaisuk and Amrat.
NDLEA’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi said the convicts were first arraigned alongside nine Nigerian suspects by the anti-narcotic agency in February 2022 on offences bordering on conspiracy and unlawful transportation of the illicit drug consignment from Brazil to Nigeria.
The vessel, the convicted sailors and the nine Nigerians were arrested on 13th October 2021 at the Apapa Port in Lagos.
The Nigerians were identified as Samuel Messiah, Ishaya Maisamari, Ilesanmi Ayo Abbey, Osabeye Stephen, Gbenga Ogunfadeke, Kayode Buletiri, Rilwan Omotosho Liasu, Saidi Sule Alani and Jamiu Adewale Yusuf.
They were all subsequently charged over alleged acts that reportedly contravened Sections 11(a), 11 (b), and 14 (b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and punishable under the same Act.
The convicted sailors had initially made a no-case submission which was dismissed after the prosecution submitted that a prima facie case had been established against the vessel and its crew members.
As a result, the trial judge ordered the convicted Thai sailors and others to open their defence on the charges against them.
Following the court ruling, the convicted sailors opted for a plea bargain agreement with the NDLEA.
Delivering ruling at the resumed hearing on Thursday, the court convicted the vessel for unlawful transportation of 32.9kg of cocaine into Nigeria and ordered payment of $4 million or its Naira equivalent as fine.
The 2nd – 11th defendants were also convicted under Section 25 of the NDLEA Act for permitting the use of the vessel for the unlawful transportation of 32.9kg of cocaine, while the 2nd, 3rd and 4th defendants were ordered to pay N100,000.00 each and restitution in the sum of $50,000 USD each or its equivalent in Naira to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The 5th – 11th defendants were also ordered to pay N100,000.00 each and restitution in the sum of $30,000.00, bringing the total amount payable to $4,360,000.00.
Justice Osiagor thereafter adjourned the trial of the nine Nigerian defendants to June 25.