The scheduled judgment in the drug trafficking charges filed against a socialite, Mrs Funmilola Arike Ogbuaya, also known as Ariket, by a Federal High Court, Lagos, failed to come up on Friday February 13, as the court informed the parties that the judgment was not ready.
Justice Deinde Dipeolu who presided over the court, had on the last hearing of the criminal charges, fixed February 13, for judgment, after parties adopted their final written addresses.
However, no date has been fixed for the judgment, as parties were informed through the court’s Whatsapp group, that new date would be communicated.
The socialite, Mrs Funmilola Arike Ogbuaya, who is also known as Funmilola Ogundipe, was arraigned before the court by the NDLEA on a four-count charge of conspiracy, illegal possession, aiding and abetting, and attempting to smuggle 1.595 kg of cocaine into Saudi Arabia.
She was re-arraigned on April 24, 2024, alongside Odeyemi Omolola, her alleged co-conspirator, who is currently serving 25 years in prison for drug trafficking.
Both Ariket and Omolola were initially arraigned in 2017 before Justice Hadizat Rabiu-Shagari (now an Appeal Court Judge) on a five-count charge of conspiracy, aiding and abetting, unlawful possession, and attempting to export the banned drug.
While Omolola, also known as Ariyo Monsurat Olabisi, pleaded guilty to the charge and is now serving a 25-year sentence, Ariket pleaded not guilty and was granted bail.
However, she later changed her plea to guilty for attempting to export the drug illegally and was sentenced to 25 years.
Her appeal against conviction was dismissed on February 26, 2021, with the appellate court affirming Justice Shagari’s judgment.
After about ten years, both Ariket and Omolola were re-arraigned before Justice Dipeolu on another charge of drug trafficking.
Again, Ariket maintained her innocence and pleaded not guilty, while Omolola pleaded guilty and was sentenced to an additional 15 years, running concurrently with her previous sentence.
During the trial, Ibrahim called nine witnesses and presented several exhibits.
After the prosecution closed its case earlier this year, Ariket’s lawyer filed a No-Case-Submission, which was dismissed by the court, stating that a prima facie case had been established against the defendant.
Justice Dipeolu held that the evidence presented was sufficient for the defendant to defend herself and therefore opened the floor for her to respond.
In her defence, Ariket and her daughter, Oluwadunmininu Ogbuaya, testified as the first and second witnesses.
Following their testimonies, both sides filed their written arguments, which the court adopted.
The charges alleged “Charges against the socialite and her convicted partner reads: “that you Odeyemi Omolara a.k.a Ariyo Monsurat Olabisi, Female, Adult of No. 27, Adebule Street, Off Palm Avenue, Mushin, Lagos State, and Funmilola Arike Ogbuaya a.k.a Ariket, Funmilola Ogundipe on about the 23rd February 2017 conspired to Export 1.595 Kilograms 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 24th 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.”
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