49.70 kg heroin import: NDLEA docks alleged fugitive kingpin, Festus Ibewuike, wife, others
By Onyewuchi Ojinnaka
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA) has docked an alleged fugitive drug kingpin Festus Ibewuike, his wife Ibewuike Ndidiamaka Confidence; and Igbokwuputa Onyinye Irene before Justice Ambrose Allagoa of a Federal High Court, sitting in Ikoyi Lagos over alleged importation of 49.70kg of Heroin.
The arraignment of Festus Ibewuike, a.k.a Chidibest Ibewuike, followed his recent arrest and repatriation to Nigeria from Benin Republic after evading arrest for over two years.
Festus Ibewuike had been on NDLEA wanted list following interception by the Agency of a single largest heroin consignment ever recorded at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos in Nigeria history.
Ibewuike, was reported to have relocated to Mozambique where he operated a hotel business as a disguise.
He was one of three suspects declared wanted and charged in absentia after operatives of the Agency’s MMIA Command in a coordinated 12-day operation in February 2024, intercepted 49.70kg of heroin concealed in cartons of metal-cutting machines at the Import Shed of the airport’s cargo terminal.
The operation also led to the arrest of key members of the syndicate, including his wife, Confidence Ndidiamaka Ibewuike who routinely received drug-laden parcels marked with the code “ND” on his behalf. Investigation by the anti-narcotic agency also led to the freezing of 107 bank accounts and the forfeiture of properties linked to the cartel.
Members of the syndicate arrested were subsequently charged before Hon. Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, in charge no. FHC/L/205C/2024.
Three of the suspects who have so far been convicted and sentenced by the court, include: Adinnu Felix Chinedu, Osita Emmanuel Obinna; and Uzochukwu Frankline.
However, two other suspects still standing trial before the court before the arrest of Festus are: Ibewuike Ndidiamaka Confidence; and Igbokwuputa Onyinye Irene, while three others who were charged in absentia include: Ibewuike Festus, a.k.a. Ibewuike Chidibest(later arrested); Osita Chidozie Cyril; and one Arinze.
When the matter came up for trial today , the prosecutor Mr Abu Ibrahim told the court that prosecution has an amended charge as a result of a new development between when the matter was adjourned at the last date and now.
Abu informed the court that NDLEA has been able to arrest one of the masterminds behind the Heroin trafficking, consequent upon which a six counts amended charge was filed .
The prosecutor urged the court to order that the charge be read to the three defendants: Fesus Ibewuike, Ibewuike Ndidiamaka Confidence; and Igbokwuputa Onyinye Irene for them to take thier plea.
The charge was then read and the three defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge. Following the not guilty plea to the charge, the prosecutor, Abu Ibrahim asked for trial date and the remand of the first defendant in the facility of the Nigeria Correctional Services.
However, U.C Okehi Esq. counsel to the first and third defendants submitted that he had filed a bail application on behalf of the first defendant, adding that same had been served on the prosecution . The prosecutor Abu Ibrahim confirmed receipt of the motion for bail, but said the prosecution would be filing a counter to it, saying he is within time to file his response.
Consequently, Justice Allagoa adjourned the matter till 22nd of October for hearing of bail application and 18th of November 2026 for trial. He further ordered the first defendant Festus Ibewuike to be remanded in the custody of the Nigeria Correctional Service pending the hearing of his bail
According to the amended six counts charge, Ibewuike Festus a.k.a, Ibewuike Chidibest, Ibewuike Ndidiamaka Confidence and Ighokwuputa Onyinye Irene were alleged to have on or about February 10 , 2024 conspired to import a consolidated consignment of 49.70kilograms of Heroin, a Narcotic Drug with Air Way Bill No. 083 – 18829775 seized at the Skyway Handling Company (SAHCO) Import Shed, a Customs Area/Point of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, ikeja , Lagos, and thereby committed an act which is an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 14(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Recall that for over two years, Ibewuike has been on the run shuttling between Mozambique and Nigeria through neighbouring Benin Republic in a bid to evade arrest.
However, that evasion came to an end following his arrest at the Cotonou airport in Benin Republic on Wednesday 2nd September 2026 by INTERPOL of both Nigeria and Benin Republic who later handed him over on Friday 4th September to a team of NDLEA operatives deployed to Cotonou. He was then brought to Nigeria.
NDLEA investigation was also said to have revealed that Ibewuike Festus had previously been associated with another drug-related case at the Federal High Court, Lagos, presided over by Hon. Justice Hadiza Rabiu Shagari in Charge No. FHC/L/203C/2013, regarding the seizure of 40.255kg of methamphetamine. The case involved one Chidi Ihedioha, who was subsequently convicted by the court in 2023.
The six counts amended charge read:
“That you Ibewuike Festus Ibewuike Chidibest, Male, Adult, on or about the 10th February 2024 conspired with Adinnu Fellx Chinedu (convict), Osita Emmanuel Obinna (convict), Uzochukwu Frankline (convict), Mr. Arizona a.k.a. Arizona (at large), Mr. Abuja a.k.a Sunday (at large), Reginald Peter Chidiebere, and Osita Chidozie Cyril a.k.a. Monty (at large) to import a consolidated consignment of 49.70kilograms of Heroin, a Narcotic Drug with Air Way Bill No. 08318829775 seized at the Skyway Handling Company (SAHCO) Import Shed, a Customs Area/Point of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja , Lagos, and you thereby committed an act which is an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 14(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
“That you Ibewuike Festus a.k.a. Ibewuike Chidibest, Adinnu Fellx Chinedu (convict), Osita Emmanuel Obinna (convict), Uzochukwu Frankline (convict), Mr. Arizona a.k.a. Arizona (at large), Mr. Abuja a.k.a Sunday (at large), Reginald Peter Chidiebere, and Osita Chidozie Cyril a.k.a. Monty (at large) Male, Adults, on or about the 10th of February 2024 at the Skyway Handling Company (SAHCO) Import Shed, a Customs Area/Point of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, imported 49.70 kg of Heroin, a Narcotic Drug being your portion of the consolidated consignment weighing 49 7O kilograrns with Air Way Bill No. 08318829775, and you ” thereby committed an act which is an offence contrary to Section 20 (1) (a) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and punishable under Section 20 (22) of the said Act.
“That you lbewuike Festus a.k.a. lbewuike Chidibest, Male, Adult, on or about the 10th of February 2024 procured one Ibewuike Ndidiamaka Confidence to
possess 11 kilograms of Heroin a Narcotic Drug, marked with the code ‘GIG’ and ‘NY’ being your portion of the consolidated consignment weighing
49.7O kilogramns with Alr Way Bill No. 68318829775 seized at the Skyway Aviation Company (SAHCO) Import Shed, a Customs Area/Point of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos and you thereby committed Act which is an offence contrary to Section 21 (2) (d) and punishable under Section 19 of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Cap. N30, Laws of Federation of Nigeria 2004.
“That you Ibewuike Ndidiamaka Confidence, Female, Adult, on or about the 10th of February 2024 conspired with Adinnu Felix Chinedu (convict) to posses 11 kg of Heroin a Narcotic Drug marked with the code ‘GIG’ and ‘ND’ being a portion of the consignment weighing 49.70kliograms with Air Way Bill Number 18829775 seized at the Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO) Import Shed Customs Area/Point of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, and you thereby committed an act which Is an offence contrary to Section 20 (1) {c) and punishable under Section 20 (2) (b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Cap N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
“That you lbewuike Festus a.k.a. Ibewuike Chidibest, Male, Adult, sometimes between the 1st of January 2020 and 16th February 2024 received a total sum of Five Hundred and Thirty-Eight Million Nalra, Eight Hundred and Ninety Thousand, Nine Hundred and Eight Naira, Seventy-Three Kobo (N538, 890. 908 73) into your Account Number 2073367774 domiciled in United Bank for Africa from one Reginald Peter Chidiebere through his FCMB Account number 6812945019, monies which you know or ought to have known represents proceeds of unlawful activity to wit: drug trafficking/dealing with intent to conceal or disguise its true origin and you thereby committed an act which is an offence against Section 18 (2)(a) & (d) and punishable under Section 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention & Prohibition) Act 2022.
“That you Ighokwuputa Onyinye Irene, Female, Adult, on or about the 10th of February 2024 conspired with Uzochukwu Frankline (convict) to possess 7.70kilograms of Heroin a Narcotic Drug, marked with the code ‘AR’ being a portion of the consignment weighing 49.70kilograms with Air Way Bill No. 083 -18-29775 seized at the Skyway Handling Company (SAHCO) Import Shed, a Customs Area/Point of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, lkeja, Lagos, and you thereby committed an act which Is an offence contrary to Section 20 (1) (c) and punishable under Section 20 (2) (b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004..
