A Federal High Court in Lagos has convicted the Thai-flagged vessel MV Chayanee Naree and its ten Thai crew members for the unlawful importation of 32.9 kilograms of cocaine into Nigeria.
As part of the sentencing, the court imposed monetary penalties exceeding $4 million as an alternative to imprisonment, following a plea bargain agreement reached between the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the convicted sailors.
Justice Daniel Osiagor adopted the plea bargain as the final judgment of the court after confirming that the agreement was entered into voluntarily by both parties.
He stated that the court was satisfied the terms were not obtained through coercion or deception, and therefore accepted them as the official ruling.
According to the terms, the vessel is to pay a fine of $4 million. The three captains of the vessel—Krilerk Tanakhan, Boonlert Hansoongnern, and Jakkarin Booncharoen—were each fined $50,000, while the remaining seven crew members were each fined $30,000.
In addition, all ten sailors are to pay ₦100,000 each as restitution. Once all fines and restitution have been paid, the court ruled that the convicted crew members would be released and allowed to return to their home country.
The ten crew members had initially pleaded not guilty but later informed the court on April 8, 2025, of their intent to enter into a plea bargain with the NDLEA. On that same day, they formally changed their plea to guilty.
The vessel and its crew were originally arraigned in February 2022, alongside nine Nigerian labourers, on charges filed by the NDLEA. These Nigerian co-defendants—Samuel Messiah, Ishaya Maisamari, Ilesanmi Ayo Abbey, Osabeye Stephen, Gbenga Ogunfadeke, Kayode Buletiri, Rilwan Omotosho Liasu, Saidi Sule Alani, and Jamiu Adewale Yusuf—remain on trial as they were not part of the plea agreement.
The NDLEA alleged that the cocaine was unlawfully imported from Santos Port in Brazil to Lagos, Nigeria, on October 13, 2021. The accused were said to have contravened Sections 11(a), 11(b), and 14(b) of the NDLEA Act, Cap N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, by failing to take reasonable steps to prevent the vessel from being used in the commission of the offence.
In addition to the convicted crew and Nigerians still on trial, three other individuals—identified as Kehinde Enoch, Ayo Joseph, and one Tunde—were named in the charge but are currently at large.
The NDLEA was represented in court by prosecutors Theresa Asuquo, A. Adebayo, and Paul Awogbuyi, while the defence team for the convicted crew included Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Babajide Koku, Femi Atoyebi, and Tunde Adejuyigbe.
The case against the Nigerian labourers has been adjourned until July 25, 2025, for continuation of trial.
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