A Federal High Court in Lagos has convicted and sentenced Lagos socialite, Mrs Funmilola Ogbuaya, popularly known in social circles as “Ariket,” to 15 years’ imprisonment for conspiracy, aiding, and abetting the trafficking of cocaine.
The conviction comes nine years after her co-conspirator, Odeyemi Omolara, also known as Ariyo Olabisi, was sentenced to 25 years’ imprisonment for her role in the same drug trafficking operation.
Justice Deinde Dipeolu, who delivered the judgment on Wednesday, held that the prosecution had successfully established its case against Ogbuaya beyond reasonable doubt.
After reviewing the arguments of both parties, the judge found her guilty of conspiracy, aiding, and abetting the attempted illegal export of 1.595 kilograms of cocaine to Saudi Arabia.
“The prosecution has proved all the essential ingredients of the offences charged against the convict,” Justice Dipeolu held.
He subsequently sentenced Ogbuaya to 15 years’ imprisonment but ordered that the term should run concurrently with the earlier 25-year sentence already imposed in connection with the matter.
The court further ruled that the jail term would take effect from May 19, 2017.
The case dates back to 2017, when Ogbuaya and Omolara were first arraigned before Justice Hadizat Rabiu-Shagari, now a Justice of the Court of Appeal, on a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy, unlawful possession of cocaine, aiding and abetting, and attempted export of the prohibited drug.
While Omolara faced charges of conspiracy, unlawful possession, and attempted exportation of cocaine, Ogbuaya was specifically charged with conspiracy, aiding and abetting, and procuring Omolara to traffic the narcotic substance.
Both convicts initially pleaded not guilty and were granted bail on varying terms.
However, midway into the trial, Omolara informed the court of her decision to change her plea.
Following a re-reading of the charge, she pleaded guilty to attempting to illegally export the narcotic drug to Saudi Arabia
Justice Rabiu-Shagari subsequently sentenced her to 25 years’ imprisonment.
Omolara challenged the conviction at the Court of Appeal, but her appeal was dismissed on February 26, 2021.
A three-member appellate panel, led by Justice Ebiowei Tobi, affirmed the lower court’s decision and held that the appeal lacked merit.
The prosecution, led by NDLEA counsel Abu Ibrahim, thereafter proceeded with Ogbuaya’s trial, calling nine witnesses and tendering several documentary exhibits, including the seized cocaine, all of which were admitted in evidence.
At the close of the prosecution’s case, Ogbuaya opted to file a no-case submission instead of opening her defence.
Arguing for the no-case submission on February 26, 2025, her counsel urged the court to discharge her on the grounds that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case.
But in a ruling delivered on April 24, 2025, Justice Dipeolu dismissed the application.
“From the evidence adduced by prosecution witnesses one to nine, a prima facie case has been established against the defendant. There is a need for the defendant to open her defence against the charges against her,” the judge ruled.
Following the dismissal, Ogbuaya opened her defence, after which both parties filed and adopted their final written addresses.
The matter was then adjourned to April 28, 2026, for judgment.
Delivering the final verdict, Justice Dipeolu upheld the prosecution’s submissions and pronounced the socialite guilty as charged, but she was not sentenced until Wednesday.
The charges against Ogbuaya and her co-convict stated that they conspired on February 23, 2017, to export 1.595 kilograms of cocaine, contrary to Section 14(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act.
Ogbuaya was also specifically accused of aiding and procuring Omolara to export the narcotic substance on February 24, 2017, while Omolara faced an additional charge of unlawful possession of the drug, contrary to Section 19 of the same Act.
