Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Justice Dehinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, has sentenced a well‑known Lagos socialite and alleged drug kingpin, Funmilola Arike Ogbuaya, popularly called Ariket, to 45 years in prison for her role in a plot to export 1.595 kilogrammes of cocaine to Saudi Arabia. The judge, however, ordered that the three 15‑year sentences run concurrently, meaning the convict will serve an effective term of 15 years, counting from 19 May 2017, the date of her arrest. Ogbuaya was found guilty on all three counts of conspiracy, possession and illegal exportation of the illicit substance, a conclusion that followed a lengthy trial that began nearly a decade ago.
The case, marked FHC/L/124C/2017, originated from the arrest of Ogbuaya’s co‑defendant, Odeyemi Omolara, also known as Ariyo Monsurat Olabisi, on 23 February 2017 at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos. Omolara was apprehended while attempting to board a flight to Saudi Arabia with a bag containing the cocaine. During interrogation, Omolara reportedly confessed that Ogbuaya was the source of the drugs and had supplied her with the narcotics for export. Omolara herself was later convicted and sentenced to 25 years’ imprisonment by Justice Hadiza Rabiu Shagari, who has since been elevated to the Court of Appeal.
The prosecution presented a chain of evidence linking Ogbuaya directly to the operation. Iyabode Shonibare, the arresting officer, testified that Omolara raised an alarm upon her arrest, shouting, “Arike has killed me.” Another witness confirmed that Omolara consistently maintained that Ogbuaya had handed her the bag containing the cocaine. A security guard attached to Ogbuaya’s residence, a man named Aliyu, told the court that Omolara had visited Ogbuaya’s house a day before the arrest and spent the night there. Aliyu also said that unknown individuals had earlier delivered the same bag later used for the export, and that Ogbuaya personally drove Omolara to the airport on the day she was caught.
In her defence, Ogbuaya admitted knowing Omolara but denied any involvement in drug trafficking. She claimed that Omolara had visited her only to seek financial assistance and that she had given her N10,000. She also confirmed that she had dropped Omolara at the airport, but insisted she was on her own way to Ajase in the Republic of Benin and had no knowledge of the drugs in Omolara’s bag. Justice Dipeolu rejected this account after evaluating the evidence, stating that the prosecution had established its case beyond reasonable doubt.
During the allocutus, defence counsel Yakubu Galadima urged the court to be lenient, noting that Ogbuaya was a first‑time offender, had shown remorse, and had dependents who relied on her. However, Justice Dipeolu held that the gravity of drug trafficking, particularly the attempt to export such a quantity of cocaine to another country, warranted a sentence that reflects the law’s disapproval. “The menace of illegal drugs has destroyed countless lives and families. A clear message must be sent to those who engage in this trade,” the judge said.
The effective 15‑year term is backdated to May 19, 2017, meaning Ogbuaya has already served approximately nine years in custody. She will spend an additional six years behind bars if the sentence is upheld on any appeal. The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) welcomed the judgment, describing it as a milestone in the fight against drug trafficking. “This conviction shows that no matter how high‑profile the suspect, the law will catch up with them,” an NDLEA spokesman said.
Ogbuaya, who was known in Lagos social circles for her flamboyant lifestyle, showed little emotion as the sentence was read, but her legal team immediately indicated that they would appeal the conviction. The case is one of several high‑profile drug trafficking convictions secured by the NDLEA this year, as the agency intensifies its crackdown on both street‑level dealers and kingpins. The successful prosecution also highlights the importance of witness testimony and forensic evidence, including the use of hotel records, airport surveillance, and financial transaction trails.
For the families of those who have lost loved ones to drug addiction, the judgment brings a measure of closure. But for the NDLEA, the battle continues. As the judge noted, the sentence is not just about punishing one individual; it is about deterring others who might be tempted to follow the same path. Ogbuaya’s fall from grace – from socialite to inmate – serves as a cautionary tale that drug money may buy luxury for a while, but it cannot buy freedom from the law.
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