Lagos Socialite ‘Iya Ruka’ and Driver Convicted for Trafficking 1,540kg of Cannabis, Ordered to Pay N20m and N10m Fines Respectively
Lagos Socialite ‘Iya Ruka’ and Driver Convicted for Trafficking 1,540kg of Cannabis, Ordered to Pay N20m and N10m Fines Respectively
The Federal High Court in Lagos has convicted popular socialite Fayisara Ajoke Opaleye, widely known as Iya Ruka, along with her driver, Abideen Adio, for trafficking and transporting 1,540 kilograms of Cannabis Sativa.
Justice Musa Kakaki delivered the ruling on Friday after both defendants changed their pleas to guilty on an amended one-count charge brought against them by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Initially arraigned in May on a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, trafficking, and unlawful possession, the duo had pleaded not guilty and were granted bail under strict conditions. However, at the resumed hearing, the court was informed that the charges had been amended, with Iya Ruka facing a trafficking count and Adio a transportation count—both pleading guilty.
Prosecutor Buhari Abdullahi stated that the offences contravened Sections 11(c) and 11(b) of the NDLEA Act, Cap N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. He presented evidence and urged the court to convict the defendants while requesting the forfeiture of the Isuzu truck (Reg. No. LSD 127 YK, Chassis No. JAANPR71HE7101834) used in conveying the drugs.
In a plea for leniency, defence counsel Chief Benson Ndakara highlighted the defendants’ remorse, Iya Ruka’s health challenges, and the fact that Adio had been in custody since his arrest. He called for a non-custodial sentence, preferably a fine.
After considering the submissions and confirming that both defendants were first-time offenders, Justice Kakaki convicted them and ordered Iya Ruka to pay a N20 million fine, while her driver was ordered to pay N10 million for their respective roles in the offence.
