A Federal High Court in Lagos has convicted 10 Filipino sailors and their merchant vessel, MV Nord Bosporus, imposing fines and restitution totaling $6 million and ₦1.1 million for importing 20 kilograms of cocaine into Nigeria.
The case, prosecuted by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), followed the arrest of the crew at the Apapa seaport on November 16, 2025. The development was confirmed in a statement issued by the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi.
The arrests led to a four-count charge (FHC/L/1232C/25) filed at the Federal High Court, Lagos, by a prosecution team led by the NDLEA’s Director of Prosecution and Legal Services, Theresa Asuquo. The vessel and its crew including Eugene Quinos Corpuz, Mark Joseph Jardiniano, Alexis Navidad Evarrola, Francis Gerard Niones Carpio, Franz Jude Mayran, Mahinay Junniel Lagura, Mario Ganiban Malvar, Hormachuelos Lordito Guivencan, Joshua Emmanuel Hufanda, and Edwin Baltazar Reyes pleaded guilty under a plea bargain arrangement.
Delivering judgment, Justice Ayokunle Faji found the vessel guilty under Section 25 of the NDLEA Act. The court ordered MV Nord Bosporus to pay a ₦100,000 penalty and $5.35 million in restitution to the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Additionally, three principal officers were each fined ₦100,000 and ordered to pay $100,000 in restitution, while the remaining crew members were fined ₦100,000 each and directed to pay $50,000 in restitution. Altogether, the penalties amount to $6 million and ₦1.1 million.
Reacting to the ruling, NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Mohamed Buba Marwa, described the judgment as “a resounding victory for the rule of law” and a strong warning to international drug trafficking networks.
He stated that the hefty penalty sends a clear message that Nigeria’s territorial waters are no longer safe for illicit drug operations, adding that authorities are now targeting not just shipments but also the financial and operational structures of drug syndicates.
Marwa also commended the NDLEA Apapa Strategic Command for its vigilance and praised the judiciary for the swift handling of the case, noting that such collaboration strengthens the country’s fight against narcotics.
Reaffirming the agency’s commitment, he stressed that the NDLEA will continue to intensify efforts to dismantle drug networks, protect Nigerian youth, and safeguard national security.
ELIJAH ADEYEMI
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