Blessing Bello, Reporting
LAGOS – A Lagos-based socialite and convicted drug kingpin, Funmilola Arike Ogbuaya, popularly known as ‘Ariket’, has been sentenced to 45 years’ imprisonment for unlawfully exporting 1.595 kilograms of cocaine to Saudi Arabia.
Justice Dehinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi handed down the sentence after finding her guilty on three counts: conspiracy, possession, and illegal exportation of the class A drug. She received 15 years on each count.
However, the court ordered that the sentences run concurrently, meaning the convict will serve a total of 15 years, effective from 19th May 2017 – the date of her arrest.
The case, marked FHC/L/124C/2017, arose from the earlier arrest of Ms Ogbuaya’s co-defendant, Odeyemi Omolara (also known as Ariyo Monsurat Olabisi), who was apprehended on 23rd February 2017 at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
During interrogation, Ms Omolara allegedly confessed that Ms Ogbuaya had supplied the cocaine for export to Saudi Arabia. Ms Omolara had previously pleaded guilty to drug trafficking charges and was sentenced to 25 years’ imprisonment by Justice Hadiza Rabiu Shagari, now a Justice of the Court of Appeal.
Witnesses Detail Operation
Throughout the trial, prosecution witnesses provided a detailed account of how the operation was carried out.
One witness, Iyabode Shonibare, the arresting officer, told the court that Ms Omolara raised an alarm upon her arrest, shouting: “Arike has killed me.”
Another witness confirmed that Ms Omolara consistently maintained that Ms Ogbuaya had handed her the bag containing the illicit substance.
A security guard attached to Ms Ogbuaya’s residence, identified only as Aliyu, testified that Ms Omolara had visited the house a day before her arrest and spent the night there.
He further revealed that unknown individuals had delivered the same bag later used for the drug exportation, and that Ms Ogbuaya had personally transported Ms Omolara to the airport on the day of her arrest.
Defence Rejects Involvement
In her defence, Ms Ogbuaya admitted knowing Ms Omolara but denied any involvement in drug trafficking. She claimed Ms Omolara had visited to seek financial assistance, and that she gave her N10,000. She also confirmed dropping her at the airport en route to her own trip to Ajase in the Republic of Benin, insisting she was unaware of the drugs.
After evaluating the evidence, Justice Dipeolu found her guilty on all three counts.
During the allocutus, defence counsel Yakubu Galadima urged the court to temper justice with mercy, noting that the convict is a first-time offender, is remorseful, and has dependents.
Notwithstanding the plea, the court proceeded with the full sentence.
