A Federal High Court in Lagos has convicted 10 Thai sailors and their vessel named MV Chayanee Naree for trafficking 32.9kg of cocaine from Brazil into Nigeria through the Apapa seaport, Lagos.
The convicted sailors who are all nationals of Thailand include: Krilerk Tanakhan; Boonlert Hansoongnern; Jakkarin Booncharoen; Thammarong Put-tlek; Worrapat Paopinta; Marut Kantaprom; Werapat Somboonying; Urkit Amsri; Panudet Jaisuk and Amrat Thawom.
Justice Daniel Osiagor gave the judgment Thursday after over three years of diligent prosecution by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi in a statement issued Thursday said the convicted sailors were first arraigned before the court along with nine Nigerian suspects in February 2022.
He explained that they were arrsigned on offences bordering on conspiracy and unlawful transportation of the illicit drug consignment from Brazil to Nigeria.
Babafemi noted that the vessel, the convicted sailors and the nine Nigerians were arrested on 13th October 2021, at the Apapa port in Lagos.
He said the Nigerian suspects are: Samuel Messiah; Ishaya Maisamari; Ilesanmi Ayo Abbey; Osabeye Stephen; Gbenga Ogunfadeke; Kayode Buletiri; Rilwan Omotosho Liasu; Saidi Sule Alani and Jamiu Adewale Yusuf.
Babafemi stressed that they were all subsequently charged to court over the illegal acts which NDLEA prosecutors argued contravened sections 11(a), 11 (b), and 14 (b) of the NDLEA Act Cap N30, 2004, and punishable under the same Act.
He said the convicted sailors had initially made a no-case submission which was dismissed following submissions by the prosecution that a prima facie case had been established against the vessel and its crew members.
As a result, the trial judge ordered the convicted Thai sailors and others to open their defence on the charges against them.
Following the court ruling, the convicted sailors opted for a plea bargain agreement with the NDLEA and as a result, Justice Osiagor delivered his ruling at the resumed hearing of the matter on Thursday, 15th May 2025.
Among other penalties, the judge convicted the Vessel MV Chayanee Naree for unlawful transportation of 32.9kg of cocaine into Nigeria and ordered to pay a fine of $4 million or its Naira equivalent.
The 2nd – 11th defendants were convicted under Section 25 of the NDLEA Act for permitting the use of the vessel for the unlawful transportation of 32.9kg of cocaine, while the 2nd, 3rd and 4th defendants were ordered to pay N100,000 each as punishment for the offence.
Also restitution in the sum of $50,000 each or its equivalent in Naira to the federal government, while the 5th – 11th defendants are to pay N100,000 each and restitution in the sum of $30,000. bringing the total amount payable to $4,360,000.
Justice Osiagor thereafter adjourned the trial of the nine Nigerian suspects to June 25.