By Akinwale Kasali
After nine years in custody, Lagos-based socialite and drug kingpin, Funmilola Arike Ogbuaya, popular as Ariket, has been sentenced to 45 years’ imprisonment for the exportation of 1.595 kilograms of cocaine to Saudi Arabia.
Delivering judgment at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, Justice Dehinde Dipeolu found her guilty and sentenced her accordingly.
She was, however, given 15-years sentence on each of the three counts bordering on conspiracy, possession, and illegal exportation of cocaine.
The Court further ordered that the sentences should run concurrently, meaning the convict will serve 15 years effective from 19th May, 2017, the date of her arrest.
The court had earlier found Ariket guilty on all counts but adjourned sentencing following a request by her counsel.
The matter, marked FHC/L/124C/2017, stemmed from the arrest of Ariket’s co-defendant, Odeyemi Omolara, also known as Ariyo Monsurat Olabisi, who was apprehended on 23rd February, 2017, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
During interrogation, Omolara reportedly confessed that Ariket supplied her the cocaine for export to Saudi Arabia.
Omolara had earlier pleaded guilty to drug trafficking charges and was subsequently convicted and sentenced to 25 years imprisonment by Justice Hadiza Rabiu Shagari, now a Justice of the Court of Appeal.
While the trial lasted, prosecution witnesses detailed how the operation was carried out.
One of the witnesses, Iyabode Shonibare, the arresting officer, told the court that Omolara raised an alarm upon arrest, shouting that “Arike has k!lled me”.
Another witness confirmed that Omolara consistently maintained that Ariket handed her the bag containing the illicit substance.
A security guard attached to Ariket’s residence, identified as Aliyu, also testified that Omolara visited the house a day before her arrest and spent the night there.
He further revealed that unknown individuals had earlier delivered the same bag later used for the drug exportation, and that Ariket personally transported Omolara to the airport on the day of her arrest.
In her defence, Ariket admitted knowing Omolara but denied any involvement in drug trafficking.
She claimed Omolara had visited her to seek financial assistance and that she only gave her N10,000.
She also confirmed dropping Omolara 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 allocutus, defence counsel, Yakubu Galadima, urged the court to temper justice with mercy, noting that the convict is a first-time offender, remorseful, and has dependents.
However, the Court sentenced her accordingly.
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