Court orders Lagos socialite to begin drug trafficking case defence
A Federal High Court in Lagos has dismissed the no-case submission filed by Lagos socialite, Mrs. Funmilola Ogbuaya, popularly known as Ariket, in her ongoing drug trafficking trial.
Justice Deinde Dipeolu ruled on Monday that the prosecution had successfully established a prima facie case against Ogbuanya, necessitating that she open her defence.
Ogbuanya is facing a four-count charge of conspiracy, unlawful possession, aiding and abetting, and the attempted exportation of 1.595 kilograms of cocaine to Saudi Arabia.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency alleged that the socialite played a central role in planning the smuggling of cocaine in February 2017.
She is standing trial alongside her alleged accomplice, Odeyemi Omolara who had earlier pleaded guilty and is currently serving a 25-year prison sentence for her role in the same offence.
The pair was first arraigned by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency in 2017 before Justice Hadiza Rabiu-Shagari on five counts.
However, following delays and a failed appeal by Olabisi, they were re-arraigned on April 24, 2024, before Justice Dipeolu.
Olabisi had initially pleaded not guilty, but later changed her plea and was convicted.
Her appeal against the conviction was dismissed by the Court of Appeal in 2021.
Ogbuanya, however, maintained her innocence and pleaded not guilty.
The NDLEA accused Ogbuanya of procuring, aiding, and conspiring with Olabisi to smuggle the cocaine out of the country.
During the re-trial, lead prosecutor Mr. Abu Ibrahim called nine witnesses and tendered several exhibits to back the prosecution’s case.
Rather than open her defence at the close of the prosecution’s case, Ogbuanya filed a no-case submission, arguing that the evidence presented was insufficient, but the court disagreed.
Justice Dipeolu, while delivering the ruling, stated: “From the evidence adduced by 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.”
The judge dismissed the no-case submission and adjourned the matter until April 29, 2025, for Ogbuanya to begin her defence.
The amended charges against the defendants include conspiracy to export narcotic drugs, unlawful possession, and procurement for trafficking—offences punishable under the NDLEA Act.
Meanwhile, Ogbuanya’s lawyer, Mr Yakubu Galadima, has filed a bail application on her behalf and urged the court to consider her release pending the hearing and determination of the application.
