Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A former international footballer, Segun George Hunkarin, and an alleged drug trafficker, Ntoruka Emmanuel Chinedu, have been sentenced to a combined 24 years in prison by the Federal High Court in Lagos after being found guilty of offences relating to the unlawful importation of cocaine into Nigeria.
Justice Musa Kakaki delivered the judgment after convicting the duo over separate but connected cocaine trafficking offences involving a total of 7.05 kilograms of the illicit drug. The convictions followed investigations and prosecution by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), which described the judgment as a major victory in its campaign against transnational drug trafficking.
According to the NDLEA, Chinedu's legal troubles date back to September 2015, when he was first arraigned before the Federal High Court on charges of importing 6.25 kilograms of cocaine into Nigeria. He pleaded not guilty and was granted bail while awaiting trial. However, he absconded during the proceedings and remained a fugitive for nearly ten years.
The agency said Chinedu successfully evaded arrest until June 24, 2025, when NDLEA operatives intercepted him at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja, Lagos. He had arrived on an Ethiopian Airlines flight after travelling from Turkey through Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Investigators alleged that while in transit in Addis Ababa, Chinedu collected a suitcase containing 800 grams of cocaine from another individual before boarding his flight to Nigeria. Upon his arrival at the Lagos airport, NDLEA officers searched his luggage and reportedly discovered 37 wraps of cocaine concealed inside his carry-on bag.
Further investigations led operatives to the airport car park, where they arrested Segun George Hunkarin, who was allegedly waiting to receive the drug consignment from Chinedu.
According to investigators, Hunkarin had previously played professional football in Brazil before returning to Nigeria. During interrogation, he reportedly admitted that while playing football in South America, he had twice trafficked drugs from Brazil to Ethiopia.
Following their arrests, both men were arraigned before the Federal High Court in Lagos on charges bordering on conspiracy and the unlawful importation of cocaine.
During the trial, NDLEA prosecutors reminded the court that Chinedu had deliberately jumped bail in the earlier 2015 case and remained on the run for almost a decade before committing another alleged drug trafficking offence upon his return to Nigeria. Prosecutors urged the court to impose custodial sentences that would reflect the seriousness of the offences.
Lawyers representing the defendants pleaded with the court to exercise leniency, urging Justice Kakaki to consider imposing fines instead of prison terms. The defence argued that the convicts deserved another opportunity to rebuild their lives.
The court, however, rejected the plea for non-custodial punishment.
Justice Kakaki sentenced Chinedu to 20 years' imprisonment for the 2015 cocaine importation case. He also received an additional two-year prison sentence for conspiring with Hunkarin in the attempt to import the 800 grams of cocaine discovered during the 2025 airport operation. His total sentence therefore amounts to 22 years.
Hunkarin was sentenced to two years' imprisonment for conspiracy relating to the attempted importation of the cocaine, bringing the combined prison terms for both convicts to 24 years.
Reacting to the judgment, NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), described the conviction as evidence that no drug trafficker can permanently evade justice.
Marwa said the successful re-arrest and eventual conviction of Chinedu after nearly a decade on the run demonstrated the determination, patience, and professionalism of NDLEA operatives in tracking fugitives and ensuring they face the consequences of their actions.
He also commended the officers who handled the investigation and prosecution, noting that the judgment reinforces the agency's resolve to work closely with the judiciary and other stakeholders to combat drug trafficking regardless of the status or influence of those involved.
The case also highlights the growing efforts by the NDLEA to dismantle international drug trafficking networks operating through Nigerian airports. In recent years, the agency has intensified intelligence-led operations, resulting in several high-profile arrests involving narcotics concealed in luggage, food items, clothing, and other personal effects.
Authorities have repeatedly warned that drug trafficking syndicates continue to exploit international travel routes linking Nigeria with countries in Europe, South America, Asia, and the Middle East. The agency has responded by strengthening passenger screening, surveillance, and intelligence-sharing with foreign law enforcement agencies.
The conviction of Hunkarin also serves as a reminder that professional status or previous sporting achievements do not shield individuals from prosecution when implicated in criminal activities. The NDLEA has maintained that its enforcement efforts apply equally to all suspects, irrespective of their public profile.
With the conclusion of the case, the agency says it remains committed to pursuing individuals involved in drug trafficking, including those who flee prosecution, stressing that justice may be delayed but will not be denied.
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