Three men—Ezechi Lyke Cyprian, Chijioke Nnanna Igbokwe, and Okeke Ebuka Igwe— have been convicted and sentenced to a combined 17 years in prison by the Federal High Court in Lagos for trafficking 7.3 kilograms of cocaine.
Chijioke Nnanna Igbokwe, a Lebanon returnee, and Ezechi Lyke Cyprian, a driver and father of four, were each sentenced to eight years by Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa for trafficking 6.243 kilograms of the drug.
Meanwhile, Okeke Ebuka Igwe, a spare parts dealer at the ASPAMDA Trade Fair Complex in Lagos, received a seven-year sentence from Justice Daniel Osiagor for trafficking 1.10 kilograms of cocaine.
The prosecutor, Barrister Abu Ibrahim, stated that the offences took place between 26 January and 23 February 2025.
Chijioke Nnanna Igbokwe was arrested on 26 January 2025 at Murtala Muhammed International Airport during the clearance of an Ethiopian Airlines flight from Addis Ababa.
Ezechi Lyke Cyprian was apprehended on 23 February 2025 on Gbagada-Oshodi Road with 4.3 kilograms of cocaine concealed in a Toyota Sienna bus (registration LSR 117 GR).
Okeke Ebuka Igwe was arrested on 21 February 2025 inside ASPAMDA market, where he had hidden cocaine in auto parts and conspired with another individual to export the drugs.
All three pleaded guilty. Their lawyers requested non-custodial sentences, citing their status as first-time offenders, but the judges imposed prison terms.
Chijioke Nnanna Igbokwe: Five years in prison or a ₦10 million fine. He was also ordered to forfeit 2,500 Lebanese pounds found during his arrest.
Ezechi Lyke Cyprian: Three years in prison or a ₦5 million fine.
Okeke Ebuka Igwe: Seven years in prison or a ₦4 million fine.
Charges:
Chijioke Nnanna Igbokwe – Unlawful importation of 1.943kg of cocaine (violating Section 11(a) of the NDLEA Act).
Ezechi Lyke Cyprian – Unlawful transportation and possession of 4.3kg of cocaine (violating Sections 20(1)(a) and 20(1)(c) of the NDLEA Act).
Okeke Ebuka Igwe – Conspiring to export 1.10kg of cocaine concealed in auto parts (violating Section 21(2)(d) of the NDLEA Act).
The sentences reflect the court’s firm stance against drug trafficking.
