NDLEA Re-arraigns Lagos Socialite, Ariket, for Alleged Drug Trafficking

Wale Igbintade

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) yesterday re-arraigned a Lagos socialite, Mrs. Funmilola Arike Ogbuaya, popular known as Ariket, alongside her alleged convicted co-conspirator, Odeyemi Omolola, who is currently serving 25 years jail-term, for drug trafficking.

The duo, who are also known as Funmilola Ogundipe and Ariyo Monsurat Olabisi respectively, were re-arraigned before Justice Deinde Isaac Dipeolu of a Federal High Court Lagos on a four count-charge of conspiracy, unlawful possession, aiding and abetting and attempt to smuggle 1.595 kilograms of Cocaine to Saudi Arabia.

They were first arraigned before Justice Hadizat Rabiu-Shagari (now a Court of Appeal Judge) sometimes in 2017, on a five count charge of conspiracy, aiding and abetting, unlawful possession of banned drug, and attempt to export the said banned drug to Saudi Arabia.

While the convicted Odeyemi Omolara  was arraigned on the charges of conspiracy, unlawful possession of banned drug, and attempt to export the said banned drug to Saudi Arabia, Ariket was arraigned on charges of conspiracy, aiding and abetting and procuring the convict for the purpose  of trafficking the prohibited drug.

They had pleaded not guilty to the charges and were admitted to bail on various terms by the court.

However, while the trial lasted, the convict informed the court of her intention to change her plea, which was granted by the court.

Upon the re-reading of the charge, she pleaded guilty to the charge of attempt to illegally export the prohibited drug to Saudi-Arabia, and she was  sentenced to 25 years imprisonment.

Dissatisfied with Justice Shagari’s judgment, the convict through her lawyer, appealed her conviction.

However, NDLEA through its lawyer, Abu Ibrahim, filed a counter to the appeal and urged the court to affirm the convict’s conviction.

Delivering judgment on the appeal, the three man-panel led by Justice Ebiowei Tobi, on February 26, 2021,  dismissed the appeal for lacking in merit, while affirmed Justice Shagari’s judgment.

But almost eight years after their first arraignment, both the socialite, Ariket and her convicted conspirator, Ariyo Monsurat Olabisi, were re-arraigned on four counts charge of conspiracy, unlawful possession of the prohibited drugs, aiding and abetting and procuring of the convict to possessed the drug, before Justice Deinde Isaac Dipeolu.

While the convict, Ariyo Monsurat Olabisi, pleaded guilty to the charges, the socialite, Ariket, denied all the allegations and pleaded not guilty the charges.

Following their plea, the prosecutor, Mr. Abu Ibrahim, asked the court for the short date, to present the exhibit for the review of facts against the convict.

He also pleaded with the court to remand the socialite, Ariket, pending the hearing and determination of the charge

However, Ariket’s lawyer Yakubu Galadima, told the court that he had filed his client’s bail application and same has been served on the prosecutor.

Galadima therefore, pleaded with the court to release the socialite to him pending the hearing and determination of the bail application.

Meanwhile, Justice Dipeolu, while acceding to Galadima’s request, also  adjourned the suit till March 15, for hearing of the bail application.

Charges against the dou read: “That you (1) Odeyemi Omolara a.k.a Ariyo Monsurat Olabisi, Female, Adult of No. 27 Adebule Street, Off Palm Avenue, Mushin, Lagos State and (2) Funmilola Arike Ogbuaya a.k.a Ariket, Funmilola Ogundipe on about the 23rd February 2017 conspired to Export 1.595 kilogrammes of Cocaine, a Narcotic Drug and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 14(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement agency Act Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

“That you Funmilola Arike Ogbuaya a.k.a Ariket, Funmilola Ogundipe on or about the 24th February 2017 aided one Odeyemi Omolara a.k.a Ariyo Monsurat Olabisi to Export 1.595 kilogrammes of Cocaine, a Narcotic Drug and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 14(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement agency Act Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

“That you Funmilola Arike Ogbuaya a.k.a Ariket, Funmilola Ogundipe on or about the 24 February 2017 procured one Odeyemi Omolara a.k.a Ariyo Monsurat Olabisi to Export 1.595 kilogrammes of Cocaine, a Narcotic Drug and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 14(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement agency Act Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

“That you Odeyemi Omolara a.k.a Ariyo Monsurat Olabisi, Female, Adult _ of No. 27 Adebule Street, Off Palm Avenue, Mushin, Lagos State on or about the 24” February 2017 without Lawful Authority knowingly possessed 1.595 kilogrammes of Cocaine, a Narcotic Drug and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 19 of the National Drug Law Enforcement agency Act Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.”