Justice Daniel Osiagor of the Federal High Court in Lagos has convicted ten Thai nationals for trafficking 32.9 kilograms of cocaine into Nigeria aboard a vessel named MV Chayanee Naree, which was also found guilty of being used to transport the illicit cargo.
The sailors, Krilerk Tanakhan, Boonlert Hansoongnern, Jakkarin Booncharoen, Thammarong Put-tlek, Worrapat Paopinta, Marut Kantaprom, Werapat Somboonying, Urkit Amsri, Panudet Jaisuk, and Amrat Thawom — were convicted after entering a plea bargain with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The vessel and the crew were initially arraigned in February 2022, alongside nine Nigerian co-defendants, on charges of conspiracy, unlawful transportation, and unlawful importation of cocaine, following their arrest on October 13, 2021, at Apapa Port, Lagos, after arriving from Brazil.
The charges were brought under sections 11 (a), 11 (b), and 14 (b) of the NDLEA Act, Cap N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. According to the prosecution, their actions breached Nigeria’s drug trafficking laws and carried significant penalties.
After the NDLEA closed its case, the sailors opted for a no-case submission, arguing the prosecution had not established sufficient grounds for them to enter a defence. However, Justice Osiagor upheld the prosecution’s argument — led by Mrs. Theresa Asuquo, A. Adebayo, and Paul Awogbuyi — that a prima facie case had indeed been established against both the vessel and its crew.
The judge subsequently dismissed the no-case application and ordered the defendants to open their defence. This development prompted the sailors and the NDLEA to enter into a plea bargain agreement to avoid full trial proceedings.
Delivering judgment on Friday, Justice Osiagor accepted the terms of the plea bargain. He ordered the vessel MV Chayanee Naree to pay a fine of $4 million or its naira equivalent. Additionally, the three captains — Krilerk Tanakhan, Boonlert Hansoongnern, and Jakkarin Booncharoen — were ordered to pay $50,000 each, while the remaining crew members were fined $30,000 each. Other convicted sailors were fined N100,000 each.
The convicted sailors were represented by a team of senior legal practitioners, including Babajide Koku (SAN), Femi Atoyebi (SAN), and Tunde Adejuyigbe (SAN).
Meanwhile, the trial of the nine Nigerian co-defendants — Samuel Messiah, Ishaya Maisamari, Ilesanmi Ayo Abbey, Osabeye Stephen, Gbenga Ogunfadeke, Kayode Buletiri, Rilwan Omotosho Liasu, Saidi Sule Alani, and Jamiu Adewale Yusuf — continues, with proceedings adjourned to June 25.
The NDLEA also named three other suspects — Kehinde Enoch, Ayo Joseph, and one Tunde — who remain at large.
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