By Gbenga Ogunbufunmi
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA today arraigned an alleged fugitive drug kingpin Festus Ibewuike and two others, Ibewuike Ndidiamaka Confidence; and Igbokwuputa Onyinye Irene before Justice Ambrose Alagoa of the Federal High Court, Lagos over alleged importation of 49.70kg of Heroin.
The arraignment of Festus Ibewuike, a.k.a Chidibest Ibewuike, followed his recent arrest and repatriation to Nigeria from Benin Republic after evading arrest for over two years.
Festus Ibekwe had being on NDLEA wasted list following the agency interception of the single largest heroin consignment ever recorded at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos in Nigeria history.
Ibewuike, was reported to have relocated to Mozambique where he ran a hotel business as a front,.
He was one of three suspects declared wanted and charged in absentia after operatives of the Agency’s MMIA Command in a coordinated 12-day operation in February 2024, intercepted 49.70kg of heroin concealed in cartons of metal-cutting machines at the Import Shed of the airport’s cargo terminal.
The operation, also led to the arrest of key members of the syndicate, including his wife, Confidence Ndidiamaka Ibewuike who routinely received drug-laden parcels marked with the code “ND” on his behalf, investigation by the anti-narcotic agency also lead to the freezing of 107 bank accounts and the forfeiture of properties linked to the cartel.
Members of the syndicate arrested were subsequently charged before Hon. Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, in charge no. FHC/L/205C/2024.
Three of the suspects who have so far been convicted and sentenced by the court, include: Adinnu Felix Chinedu Osita Emmanuel Obinna; and Uzochukwu Frankline.
However, two other suspects still standing trial before the court are: Ibewuike Ndidiamaka Confidence; and Igbokwuputa Onyinye Ireene, while three others who were charged in absentia include: Ibewuike Festus, a.k.a. Ibewuike Chidibest; Osita Chidozie Cyril; and one Arinze.
When the matter came up for trial today , the prosecutor Mr Abu Ibrahim told the court that the prosecution has an amended charge as there was a new development between when the matter was adjourned at the last date and now.
Abu informed the court that NDLEA has been able to arrest one of the mastermind behind the Heroin trafficking consequent upon which a six counts amended charge was filed .
The prosecutor urged the court to order that the charge be read to the three defendants Fesus Ibewuike, Ibewuike Ndidiamaka Confidence; and Igbokwuputa Onyinye Ireene so that they can take thier plea.
The charge was then read and the three defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge. Following the not guilty plea to the charge, the prosecutor, Abu Ibrahim ask for trial date and the remand of the first defendant in the facility of the Nigeria Correction Services.
However counsel to the first defendant said he had filed a bail application on behalf of the first defendant and that same had been served on the prosecution . The prosecutor Abu Ibrahim confirmed receipt of the motion for bail, but said the prosecution would be filing a counter to it, saying he is within time to file his response.
Justice Alagoa consequently adjourned the matter till 18th of November 2026 for hearing of the bail application . He further ordered the first defendant Festus Ibewuike to be remanded in the custody of the Nigeria Correctional Service.
According to the amended six counts charge, Ibewulke Festus a.k.a, Ibewulke Chidibest, Ibewulke Ndidlamaka Confidence and ighokwuputa Onylinye Irene were alleged to have on or about February 10 , 2024 conspired to import a consolidated consignment of 49.70kilograms of Heroin, a Narcotic Drug with Air Way Bill No. 083 – 18829775 seized at the Skyway Handling Company (SAHCO) import Shed, a Customs Area/Point of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, ikeja , Lagos, and thereby committed an act which is an offence contrary to and punishable under section 14(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Recalled that for over two years, Ibewuike has being on the run shuttling between Mozambique and Nigeria through neighbouring Benin Republic in a bid to evade arrest.
However, that evasion came to an end following his arrest at the Cotonou airport in Benin Republic on Wednesday 2nd September 2026 by INTERPOL of both Nigeria and Benin Republic who later handover him over to a team of NDLEA operatives deployed to Cotonou on Friday 4th September. He was brought to Nigeria
NDLEA investigation was also said to revealed that Ibewuike Festus had previously been associated with another drug-related case at the Federal High Court, Lagos, presided over by Hon. Justice Hadiza Rabiu Shagari in charge no. FHC/L/203C/2013, regarding the seizure of 40.255kg of methamphetamine. The case involved one Chidi Ihedioha, who was subsequently convicted by the court in 2023.
The six counts amended charge reds:
That you Ibewuike Festus a.k.a. Ibewulke Chidibest, Male, Adult, on or about the 10th February 2024 conspired with Adinnu Fellx Chinedu (convict), Osita Emmanuel Obinna (convict), Uzochukwu Frankline (convict), Mr. Arizona a.k.a. Arizona (at large), Mr. Abuja a.k.a Sunday (at large), Reginald Peter Chidlebere, and Oslta Chidozie Cyril a.k.a. Monty (at large) to import a consolidated consignment of 49.70kilograms of Heroin, a Narcotic Drug with Air Way Bill No. 08318829775 seized at the Skyway Handling Company (SAHCO) import Shed, a Customs Area/Point of the Murtala Muhammed international Airport, ikeja , Lagos, and you thereby committed an act which is an offence contrary to and punishable under section 14(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Count 2
That you tbhewuike Festus a.k.a. Ibewuike Chidibest, Adinnu Fellx Chinedu (corwict), Osita Emmanuel Obinna (convict), Uzochuiewy Frankline (convict), Mr. Arizona a.k.a. Arizona (at large), Mr. Abuja a.k.a Sunday (at large), Reginald Peter Chidiebere, and Osita Chidozie Cyril a.k.a. Monty (at large) Male, Adults, om or about the 10th of February 2024 at the Skyway Handling Company (SAHOO) import Shed, a Customs Area/Point of the Murtala Muhammed international Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, imported -++++++ kg of Heroin, a Narcotic Drug being your portion of the consolidated consignment weighing 49 7Okilograrns with Air Way Bill No. 08318829775, and you ” thereby committed an act which bs an offence contrary to section 20 (1) (a) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and punishable under section 20 (22) of the said Act.
Count 3
That you lbeweruilee Festus a.k.a. lbewulke Chidibest, Male, Adult, on or about the 10th of February 2024 procured one Ibewulke Ndidiamaka Confidence to
Posses 11 kilograms of Heroin a Narcotic Drug, marked with the code ‘GIG’ and ‘NY’ being your portion of the consolidated consignment weighing
49. 7O kilogramns with Alr Way Bill No. 68318829775 seized at the Skyway Aviation Company (SAHCO) Import Shed, a Customs Area/Point of the Murtala Muhammed international Airport, Ikeja, Lagos and you thereby committed Act which is an offence contrary to section 21 (2) (d) and punishable under section 19 of the National Drug Lew Enforcement Agency Cap. N30, Laws of Federation of Nigeria 2004.
Court 4
That you thewulke Ndldiamats Confidence, Female, Adult, on or about the 10th of February 2024 conspired with Adinnu Fellx Chinedu (convict) to posses 11 kg of Heroin a Narcotic Drug marked with the code ‘GIG’ and ‘ND’ being a portion of the consignment weighing 49.70kliograms with Air Way Bill Number 18829775 seized at the Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO) Import Shed Customs Area/Point of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, and you thereby committed an act which Is an offence contrary to section 20 (1) {c) and punishable under section 20 (2) (b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Cap N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Count 5
That you lbewuike Festus a.k.a. Ibewulke Chidibest, Male, Adult, sometimes between the 1st of January 2020 and 16th February 2024 received a total sum of Five Hundred and Thirty-Eight Million Nalra, Eight Hundred and Nine Thousand, Nine Hundred and Eight Naira, Seventy-Three Kobo (N538, 890. 908 73) into your Account Number 2073367774 domicile in Untted Bank for Africa from one Reginald Peter Chidlebere through his FCMB Account number 6812945019, monies which you know or ought to have known represents proceeds of unlawful activity to wit: drug trafficking/dealing with intent to conceal or disguise tts true origin and you thereby committed an act which is an offence against section 18 (2)(a) & (d) and punishable under section 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention & Prohibition) Act 2022.
Count 6
That you Ighokwuputa Onyinye treen, Female, Adult, on or about the 10th of February 2024 conspired with Uzochukwu Frankline (convict) to possess 7.70kilograms of Heroin a Narcotic Drug, marked with the code ‘AR’ being a portion of the consignment weighing 49.70kilograms with Air Way Bill No. 083 -18-29775 seized at the Skyway Handling Company (SAHCO) Import Shed, a Customs Area/Point of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, lkeja, Lagos, and you thereby committed an act which Is an offence contrary to Section 20 (1) (c) and punishable under section 20 (2) (b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
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