Lagos Court Sentences ‘Warri Kinsman’ and Accomplice to 10 Years’ Imprisonment
A Federal High Court, sitting in Lagos before Honourable Justice Deinde Dipeolu, has secured the conviction and sentencing of two well-known narcotics traffickers: Ajetsibo Emami, also known as “Warri Kinsman,” and Solomon Akpomuai to a cumulative term of ten years’ imprisonment.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Director of Media and Advocacy of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Femi Babafemi, 37‑year‑old Emami was apprehended in Ikeja, Lagos, on 28 June 2025. His arrest followed a three‑day, intelligence‑led operation which dismantled his drug trafficking network and led to the arrest of three other suspects.
During the operation, NDLEA operatives recovered 24 jumbo sacks containing 681 pouches of Canadian Loud, a potent strain of cannabis with a total weight of 414.2 kilogrammes. The interception was made after credible intelligence indicated Emami’s plan to move the shipment to the Lekki axis for distribution within Lagos State and to other parts of Nigeria.
Emami was subsequently arraigned before Justice Dipeolu on a single count bordering on dealing in illicit drugs, contrary to the provisions of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act. The matter was registered under charge number FHC/L/636C/2025.
In a separate case, Akpomuai was intercepted by personnel of the Nigeria Customs Service along the Sagamu–Ijebu‑Ode Expressway on 3 June 2025 while conveying 2,197.8 kilogrammes of skunk, another strain of cannabis. He was transferred to the NDLEA on 16 June 2025 and charged under charge number FHC/L/635C/2025 for trafficking in illicit drugs in large commercial quantities.
Delivering judgment on 18 August 2025, Justice Dipeolu convicted Emami and sentenced him to six years’ imprisonment, with an option of a ₦50 million fine in lieu of custody. Akpomuai was similarly convicted and sentenced to four years’ imprisonment, also with an option of a ₦50 million fine.
Reacting to the verdict, NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd.), stated that the successful prosecution of the two convicts demonstrated the agency’s resolve and the efficacy of its balanced approach towards drug supply suppression and demand reduction. He described the outcome as a sign that Nigeria is on track to overcoming the challenge of substance abuse and illicit trafficking.
Brig Gen Marwa further commended the judiciary for its firm stance, the NDLEA’s investigative and prosecutorial teams for their diligence, and other collaborating stakeholders for their contributions towards realising the vision of a drug‑free Nigeria.
