Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
LAGOS, Nigeria — A Federal High Court in Lagos has convicted ten Filipino sailors and their merchant vessel, MV Nord Bosporus, for importing 20 kilograms of cocaine into Nigeria, imposing combined fines and restitution totaling $6 million and ₦1.1 million. The ruling, delivered on March 18, 2026, marks a significant victory in Nigeria’s ongoing fight against maritime drug trafficking.
The ten sailors were arrested alongside their vessel at Apapa Seaport in Lagos on November 16, 2025, when operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) uncovered the illicit shipment concealed within the ship’s cargo. The MV Nord Bosporus had arrived from Santos, Brazil, and the seizure was part of intensified efforts to intercept illegal narcotics entering the country through maritime channels.
Following the seizure, the NDLEA filed a four-count charge against the sailors and the vessel at the Federal High Court, presided over by Justice Ayokunle Faji. In a strategic legal move, the sailors entered a plea bargain with the prosecution, expediting the trial and paving the way for sentencing.
Justice Faji found the vessel and its crew guilty under provisions of the NDLEA Act. The vessel was ordered to pay a fine of ₦100,000 and restitution of $5.35 million. Three principal officers of the ship were each fined ₦100,000 and required to pay $100,000 in restitution, while the remaining seven sailors were fined ₦100,000 each and ordered to pay $50,000 in restitution. The total fines and restitution amounted to $6 million and ₦1.1 million.
NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd) described the ruling as a decisive victory for Nigeria’s anti-narcotics campaign. He emphasized that the substantial financial penalties serve as a stern warning to international drug syndicates and their collaborators, highlighting that Nigeria’s territorial waters will no longer be a safe corridor for illicit drug shipments.
Marwa praised the vigilance and professionalism of NDLEA officers at Apapa Seaport, noting that the agency has expanded its focus beyond seizures to include targeting the financial foundations of trafficking operations. He commended the Directorate of Prosecution and Legal Services and the Nigerian judiciary for ensuring the accelerated handling of the case, underscoring the importance of collaboration in achieving successful prosecution.
The case underscores the vulnerability of major Nigerian ports to illicit trafficking due to the scale and complexity of international cargo movement. Previous cases involving foreign sailors and vessels caught attempting to smuggle narcotics through Apapa Seaport highlight the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in protecting the country’s borders.
The NDLEA confirmed that the convicted sailors and the vessel will be subject to continued legal and administrative oversight to ensure full enforcement of the court-ordered fines and restitution. Authorities also noted that the investigation continues, focusing on identifying and apprehending any individuals or networks connected to the trafficking operation.
The MV Nord Bosporus case represents a broader strategic effort to safeguard Nigeria’s ports from illegal drug flows, emphasizing the importance of sustained enforcement, inter-agency cooperation, and public vigilance in curbing the influence of international drug syndicates.
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