A Federal High Court in Lagos has convicted 11 Indian sailors and their merchant vessel, MV Aruna Hulya, over the importation of 31.5 kilograms of cocaine into Nigeria through the Apapa Seaport, imposing fines and restitution amounting to more than $6 million.
The conviction comes barely six months after operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) intercepted the illicit drug consignment concealed in the vessel at the GDNL Terminal, Apapa Port, Lagos.
The vessel and its crew members were arrested on January 2, 2026, after NDLEA officers discovered 31.5 kilograms of cocaine hidden in Hatch 3 of the ship, which had arrived in Nigeria from the Marshall Islands.
The defendants included the vessel’s master, Sharma Shashi Bhushan, alongside Bharati Manoj Kumar, Nevage Sandesh Suresh, Pandey Prashant, Nuttu Anand, Akash Babu, Nilesh Mukuno Bhalerad, Melethil Insaf Rahman, Barla Chantanya Krishna, Prabhasukhan Singu and Jai Parkash.
The defendants were arraigned before Justice Joseph Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court, Lagos, in suit number FHC/L/56C/2026 on a two-count charge.
Delivering judgment on Thursday, the trial judge adopted the plea bargain agreement reached between the prosecution and the defence, leading to the conviction of all 12 defendants under Section 25 of the NDLEA Act.
The court sentenced each defendant to pay a fine of N100,000, being the statutory penalty prescribed under the law.
In addition, the vessel, which was listed as the first defendant in the case, was ordered to pay restitution to the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the sum of $5.3 million or its equivalent in naira.
The court further directed three principal officers of the vessel — Sharma Shashi Bhushan, Nilesh Mukuno Bhalerad and Melethil Insaf Rahman to pay restitution of $100,000 each to the Federal Government.
The remaining crew members were ordered to pay restitution of $50,000 each.
Marwa Sends Warning to Drug Cartels
Reacting to the judgment, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Mohamed Buba Marwa, described the ruling as a major victory in Nigeria’s fight against international drug trafficking.
Marwa said the conviction of both the vessel and its crew members sends a clear message to criminal networks across the world that Nigeria will no longer serve as a transit route for illicit drugs.
“This judgment is the third of its kind in recent times, following the convictions of foreign nationals and vessels on similar charges,” he said.
According to him, the convictions are the outcome of deliberate, intelligence-driven operations by NDLEA personnel deployed at the nation’s ports and entry points.
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Marwa warned that the agency would sustain its offensive against drug trafficking syndicates regardless of their nationality or mode of operation.
“Whether you come by air, land, or sea; whether you are a Nigerian or a foreign national, if you attempt to use our waters as a narcotics highway, you will face the full weight of Nigerian law,” he stated.
“The courts have spoken, and we will continue to give them reason to speak. The war against drug trafficking is one we are winning and we intend to keep it that way.”
The NDLEA boss also commended officers and personnel of the agency’s Apapa Strategic Command for their vigilance and professionalism in uncovering the cocaine shipment hidden within the cargo of the large merchant vessel.
He equally praised the agency’s Directorate of Prosecution and Legal Services for successfully prosecuting the case and securing the landmark conviction.
The judgment is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s anti-narcotics campaign and reinforce efforts to deter international drug trafficking networks from using the country’s ports and territorial waters as transit routes for illicit substances.
Esther Ososanya is an investigative journalist with Pinnacle Daily, reporting across health, business, environment, metro, Fct and crime. Known for her bold, empathetic storytelling, she uncovers hidden truths, challenges broken systems, and gives voice to overlooked Nigerians. Her work drives national conversations and demands accountability one powerful story at a time.