Justice Deinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court in Lagos has sentenced Lagos socialite, Mrs Funmilola Arike Ogbuaya, popularly known as ‘Ariket’, to 15 years imprisonment for drug trafficking offences.
The conviction comes nine years after her co-conspirator, Odeyemi Omolara, also known as Ariyo Monsurat Olabisi, was sentenced to 25 years imprisonment for the same drug ring.
Both women were first arraigned in 2017 before Justice Hadizat Rabiu-Shagari, now a Court of Appeal Judge, on a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy, aiding and abetting, unlawful possession of 1.595 kilograms of cocaine, and attempt to export the banned drug to Saudi Arabia.
While Omolara faced charges of conspiracy, unlawful possession, and attempted export, Ariket was charged with conspiracy, aiding and abetting, and procuring Omolara to traffic the cocaine. Both initially pleaded not guilty and were granted bail.
Mid-trial, Omolara changed her plea to guilty and was sentenced to 25 years in prison.
She appealed the judgment, but a three-man Court of Appeal panel led by Justice Ebiowei Tobi dismissed her appeal on February 26, 2021, for lacking merit.
On April 24, 2024, both Ariket and the convicted Omolara were re-arraigned. Omolara again pleaded guilty, while Ariket maintained her innocence.
The NDLEA, through its counsel, Abu Ibrahim, called nine witnesses and tendered several exhibits, including the bulk of the seized cocaine.
After the prosecution closed its case, Ariket filed a no-case submission instead of opening her defence.
On April 24, 2025, Justice Dipeolu dismissed it, ruling that “from the evidence adduced by the prosecution witnesses one to nine, a prima facie case has been established against the defendant. There is a need for the defendant to open her defence.”
Delivering judgment on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, Justice Dipeolu found Ariket guilty of conspiracy, aiding and abetting, and convicted her accordingly. She was sentenced to 15 years' imprisonment.
The judge ruled that the 15-year term will run concurrently with the 25-year term already being served by her co-conspirator.
Ariket’s sentence was backdated to commence from May 19, 2017, the date of her initial remand.
The charges were brought under Sections 14(b) and 19 of the NDLEA Act Cap N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
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