Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have arraigned 10 Filipino nationals and a vessel, MV Nord Bosporus, before the Federal High Court in Lagos over the alleged importation of 20 kilograms of cocaine into Nigeria.
The defendants were arraigned on Monday before Justice Ayokunle Faji on a four-count charge marked FHC/L/1232c/2025 bordering on conspiracy and unlawful importation of narcotic drugs.
Those arraigned alongside the vessel are Eugene Quinos Corpuz; Mark Joseph Jardiniano; Alexis Navidad Evarrola; Francis Gerard Niones Carpio; Franz Jude Mayran; Mahinay Junniel Lagura; Mario Ganiban Malvar; Hormachuelos Lordito Guivencan; Joshua Emmanuel Hufanda; and Edwin Baltazar Reyes.
The prosecuting counsel for the NDLEA, Theresa Asuquo, who led Adekunle Onabajo, told the court that the defendants were arrested on November 16, 2025, at the GDNL Terminal, Apapa Port, Lagos.
She alleged that the 10 Filipinos conspired to unlawfully import 20 kilogrammes of cocaine into Nigeria aboard the vessel MV Nord Bosporus from Santos, Brazil.
According to the prosecution, the alleged offences contravene Sections 11(b) and 14(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, Cap N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
However, the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Despite their plea, Asuquo informed the court that both parties had already signed a plea bargain agreement pursuant to Section 270(4) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.
She added that the prosecution intended to file an amended charge and therefore sought an adjournment.
Counsel for the defendants, Femi Atoyebi (SAN), confirmed the existence of the plea bargain agreement, noting that it had already been filed before the court. He urged the court to adjourn the matter to enable the parties to present the agreement.
Following the agreement of both parties, Justice Faji adjourned the case until Tuesday, March 17, 2026, for further hearing.
In the charge, the prosecution alleged that MV Nord Bosporus, on or about November 16, 2025, at the GDNL Terminal, Apapa Port, Lagos, transported 20 kilogrammes of cocaine from Santos, Brazil, into Nigeria without lawful authority.
The anti-drug agency further alleged that the 10 Filipino nationals conspired between October and November 2025 to transport and import the narcotic drug aboard the vessel, an act said to be contrary to and punishable under the relevant provisions of the NDLEA Act.
