NDLEA Secures 24-Year Jail Term for Fugitive Drug Kingpin, Ex-Footballer Over Cocaine Trafficking
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has secured the conviction and sentencing of fugitive drug kingpin, Ntoruka Emmanuel Chinedu, and former footballer, Hunkarin Segun George, to a combined 24 years’ imprisonment for the unlawful importation of 7.050 kilograms of cocaine into Nigeria.
The conviction followed the judgment of Justice Musa Kakaki of the Federal High Court, Lagos.
According to a statement made available to ThelensNG on Monday by the NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, Chinedu was first arraigned in September 2015 on a one-count charge marked FHC/L/227C/2015 for unlawfully importing 6.250 kilograms of cocaine.
“He pleaded not guilty and was admitted to bail, but jumped bail midway into trial and remained at large for nearly 10 years. He was eventually re-arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Tuesday 24th June 2025, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, while attempting to smuggle 800 grams of cocaine on an inbound Ethiopian Airlines flight from Addis Ababa.
“He was a frequent flyer known for conveying clothes from Turkey to Nigeria and foodstuffs from Nigeria to Turkey. Investigation showed that the convict was coming from Turkey on Ethiopian Airlines flight but transited through Addis Ababa, Ethiopia where he collected the luggage from another person before heading to Nigeria,” the statement said.
Babafemi noted that further checks revealed that an accomplice, who turned out to be a former professional footballer, Hunkarin Segun George, was waiting for Chinedu at the airport car park to collect the consignment from him.
He disclosed that George, who had spent several years in Brazil playing for football clubs, was promptly tracked and arrested at the car park.
In his statement, George claimed that while playing professional football in the South American country, he had trafficked drugs only twice from Brazil to Ethiopia.
Consequently, Chinedu and George were subsequently arraigned on a three-count charge marked FHC/L/669C/2025 for the unlawful importation of 800 grams of cocaine.
Delivering judgment on Friday, July 24, 2026, Justice Kakaki sentenced Chinedu to 20 years’ imprisonment, without an option of fine, for the unlawful importation of 6.250 kilograms of cocaine, and a further two years’ imprisonment, also without an option of fine, for conspiring with George to unlawfully import 800 grams of cocaine, bringing his total sentence to 22 years’ imprisonment.
George was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment on the conspiracy charge, bringing the combined jail terms to 24 years’ imprisonment.
Reviewing the facts of the case, the prosecuting counsel, Barrister Adekunle Adebajo, reminded the court that Chinedu had earlier been arraigned before Justice Salihu Saudi (now retired) in 2015 on the same importation charge but absconded after being granted bail. Citing relevant legal authorities, the NDLEA prosecutor urged the court to sentence the convicts in line with the relevant provisions of the NDLEA Act.
Defence counsel, Chief Benson Ndakara for Chinedu and Chief Emefo Etudo for George, pleaded with the court for leniency and urged that the option of a fine be considered in lieu of custodial sentences.
The court, however, after carefully reviewing the submissions, cited authorities and tendered exhibits, sentenced both convicts to prison terms without the option of a fine.
Reacting to the conviction, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), commended the judiciary for the judgment, describing it as a reaffirmation of the courts’ commitment to ridding the country of drug trafficking and those who perpetrate it, no matter how long they evade justice.
Marwa also commended the officers of the Agency involved in the arrest, investigation, and prosecution of the case, noting that the eventual re-arrest of Chinedu after nearly 10 years on the run demonstrated the doggedness, patience, and thoroughness of NDLEA operatives in tracking down fugitives and ensuring that no drug trafficker escapes the long arm of the law.
He reaffirmed the Agency’s resolve to continue working closely with the judiciary and other stakeholders to ensure that persons involved in drug trafficking, regardless of their status or how long they attempt to evade justice, are brought to justice.
