Court jails freight manager to 12 months for drug trafficking

Justice Friday Ogazi of the Federal High Court in Lagos has sentenced John Komolafe, a manager at a Netherlands-based freight company, to 12 months in prison for smuggling illegal drugs into Nigeria.

Komolafe pleaded guilty to a two-count charge of conspiracy and drug trafficking brought against him by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). During his arraignment, NDLEA prosecutor Adekunle Adebajo told the court that Komolafe was arrested on November 7, 2025, at the Customs Enforcement unit of Tincan Island Port, Apapa, Lagos State.

The prosecutor stated that the defendant was found in possession of 105.5 kilograms of Molly and 500 grams of methamphetamine, both controlled psychotropic substances similar to cocaine, heroin, and LSD.

Komolafe admitted to being involved in drug trafficking for some time, revealing that his employer in the Netherlands regularly sent such cargo for him to deliver to Nigeria.

The prosecution requested a conviction and appropriate sentencing based on the defendant’s guilty plea and confession. Defence counsel Uche Okoronkwo appealed for leniency, describing Komolafe as a victim of circumstances and urging the court to consider a non-custodial sentence.

After considering both sides, Justice Ogazi sentenced Komolafe to 12 months in prison and ordered him to pay a fine of N1 million.

The court ruled that failure to pay the fine would result in an additional four months in a correctional facility.