NDLEA Arraigns Vessel, 10 Filipinos Over 20kg Cocaine
By Wellington Jopelo
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has arraigned a vessel, MV Nord Bosporus, and 10 Filipino nationals before a Federal High Court in Lagos over the alleged importation of 20 kilograms of cocaine into Nigeria.
The foreigners were brought before Justice Ayokunle Faji on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy and unlawful importation of narcotic drugs.
Those arraigned alongside the vessel include 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.
According to the prosecution, the defendants were arrested on November 16, 2025, at the GDNL Terminal in Apapa, Lagos.
The prosecutor, Theresa Asuquo, told the court that the accused persons allegedly transported the cocaine aboard the vessel from Santos in Brazil to Nigeria.
The agency said the alleged offence violates provisions of the NDLEA Act relating to unlawful transportation and importation of narcotic drugs.
All the defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read in court.
Despite their plea, the prosecution informed the court that both parties had already signed a plea bargain agreement under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.
The defence counsel, Femi Atoyebi (SAN), also confirmed the existence of the plea bargain and requested a date for hearing.
Following the agreement of both parties, the court adjourned the matter to March 17 for further proceedings.