Lagos Socialite ‘Ariket’ Jailed 15 Years for Cocaine Trafficking

• Funmilola Ogbuaya ‘Ariket’ Jailed For 15 Years For Cocaine Trafficking

LAGOS, NIGERIA — A Federal High Court in Lagos has convicted and sentenced prominent Lagos socialite, Mrs Funmilola Ogbuaya, better known as “Ariket,” to 15 years in prison for her involvement in a cocaine trafficking scheme.

Justice Deinde Dipeolu, who presided over the matter, delivered the judgment on Wednesday, ruling that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. The court found Ogbuaya guilty of conspiracy, aiding, and abetting the attempted export of 1.595 kilograms of cocaine to Saudi Arabia.

The sentence will run concurrently with a previous 25-year term imposed on her co-convict, Odeyemi Omolara, also known as Ariyo Olabisi, in the same case. Justice Dipeolu ordered that the jail term takes effect from May 19, 2017.

The case stems from events in February 2017 when both women were arraigned on a five-count charge before Justice Hadizat Rabiu-Shagari. While Omolara was charged with conspiracy, unlawful possession, and attempted exportation of the drug, Ogbuaya faced charges of conspiracy, aiding and abetting, and procuring Omolara to traffic the narcotic.

Omolara later changed her plea to guilty and was sentenced to 25 years’ imprisonment. Her appeal against the conviction was dismissed by the Court of Appeal on February 26, 2021.

Prosecutors from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), led by Abu Ibrahim, called nine witnesses and tendered several exhibits, including the seized cocaine, during Ogbuaya’s trial. Ogbuaya filed a no-case submission in February 2025, which Justice Dipeolu dismissed on April 24, 2025, stating that a prima facie case had been established.

NaijaChoice News understands that after the no-case submission was overruled, Ogbuaya opened her defence before final addresses were adopted by both sides.

The offences border on conspiracy to export 1.595kg of cocaine on February 23, 2017, contrary to Section 14(b) of the NDLEA Act, and aiding the export attempt the following day.

Drug trafficking remains a major challenge in Nigeria, with Lagos often serving as a transit point for narcotics heading to Europe and the Middle East. Convictions such as this underscore ongoing efforts by the NDLEA to dismantle networks involving both major players and their accomplices.

The sentencing of Ogbuaya brings a long-running case to a close and sends a strong signal that involvement in hard drug trafficking carries severe consequences, regardless of social status.