Yemi Olakitan 
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has arrested an ex-convict, Christian Ogbuji, for allegedly importing 817 wraps of cocaine weighing 19.40kg through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport. Ogbuji, 48, was previously arrested and convicted for ingesting 93 pellets of cocaine in May 2023.
He arrived from Uganda via Addis Ababa on Ethiopian Airlines flight ET 951. NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, who confirmed the arrest yesterday, highlighted the agency’s vigilance in combating drug trafficking. Babafemi said that the arrest came barely 16 months after Ogbuji was arrested and convicted for ingesting 93 pellets of cocaine.
He said that the 48-year-old businessman was first arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, (NAIA), Abuja, on Wednesday, May 10, 2023.
This, he said, was upon his arrival from Uganda via Addis Ababa, onboard Ethiopian Airlines flight ET 951 for ingesting 93 pellets of cocaine with a gross weight of 1.986kg.
Babafemi said that the suspect was arraigned before Federal High Court 12 Abuja presided over by Hon. Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon in charge no: FHC/ ABJ/CR/192/2023 and convicted on July 13, 2023.
He said that Mr Ogbuji was sentenced to two years imprisonment with an option of paying a fine of N3 million which he paid and was set free.
He, however, said that the court also ordered the forfeiture of the seized 1.986 kilograms cocaine, his International Passport, 14 US dollars and 9000 Uganda shillings found on him at the time of his arrest.
“Not done with crime, Mr Ogbuji, was again arrested at the Lagos airport on Wednes – day, Sept. 18 during an inward clearance of Ethiopian Airlines flight passengers from Addis Ababa to Lagos.
“The suspect had approached the joint examination table with a black travelling bag which was searched by an NDLEA operative who cleared the luggage.
