Court Dismisses Ariket, Lagos Socialite’s No Case Submission on Drug Charges

A Federal High Court in Lagos has dismissed the no-case submission filed by Lagos-based socialite, Mrs. Funmilola Arike Ogbuaya, popularly known as Ariket, in her ongoing trial over alleged drug trafficking offenses.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) had re-arraigned Mrs. Ogbuaya in 2024 on multiple charges including conspiracy, unlawful possession of a prohibited substance, aiding and abetting, and attempting to smuggle 1.595 kilograms of cocaine to Saudi Arabia.

The case, which has drawn significant public attention, also involved a co-defendant, Mrs. Odeyemi Omolola, also known as Ariyo Monsurat Olabisi.

Mrs. Omolola had earlier pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced to 25 years in prison.

In contrast, Mrs. Ogbuaya maintained her innocence and filed a no-case submission, arguing that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case against her.

The court, however, ruled today that the prosecution had presented sufficient evidence warranting her to enter a defense. The judge held that the issues raised in the no-case submission could only be properly addressed during the trial phase, where the defense would have the opportunity to respond to the allegations.

With the dismissal of her submission, Mrs. Ogbuaya will now be required to open her defense as the trial proceeds.

The ruling marks a significant development in a case that has highlighted the NDLEA’s intensified efforts to clamp down on drug trafficking networks involving Nigerian citizens attempting to smuggle drugs abroad.

Further proceedings are expected to continue in the coming weeks.