NDLEA Arraigns 10 Filipinos, Vessel Over Alleged Trafficking 20kg of Cocaine

A vessel, MV Nord Bosporus and 10 Filipinos were arraigned Monday before a Federal High Court, Lagos, by the operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), on alleged conspiracy and unlawful importation of 20 kilograms of cocaine into the country.

The Filipinos 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 vessel MV Nord Bosporus and the Filipinos were arraigned before Justice Ayokunle Faji on a four count-charge marked FHC/L1232c/2025.

Arraigning the defendants, the prosecutors, Barrister Theresa Asuquo leading Adekunle Onabajo, informed the court that the vessel and the defendants were arrested on November 16, 2025, at GDNL Terminal Apapa port, Lagos.

The prosecutor told the court that the 10 Filipinos conspired among themselves and unlawfully imported 20 kilogrammes of cocaine aboard the vessel MV Nord Bosporous.

The Prosecutor informed the court that the alleged illegal acts of the foreigners, are contrary to Sections 11 (b) and 14 (b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

All the defendants however denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty to the all the counts charge.

However, despite the not guilty plea of all the defendants, the lead prosecutor, Barrister Asuquo, informed the court that parties have signed a plea bargain agreement.

She said that the agreement was pursuant to 270(4) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015. Adding that the prosecution intend to file an amended charge.

She thereafter asked for a date.

The lead counsel for the defendants, Femi Atoyebi (SAN) confirmed the position stated by the prosecutor. Adding that the plea bargain agreement has been filed.

The lawyer equally asked the court for a date to hear parties’ plea bargain.

By the parties consent, Justice Faji adjourned the matter to Tuesday, March 17, for further hearing.

Charges Against the vessel and the 10 Filipinos read: “That you MV Nord Bosporus on or about the 16th day of November 2025 at GDNL Terminal Apapa port, Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court without lawful authority transported from Santos in Brazil to Nigeria 20 kilogrammes of cocaine, a narcotic drug and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 11 (b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

“That you Eugene Quinos Corpuz, Male Adult, Mark Joseph Jardiniano, Male, Adult, Alexis Navidad Evarrola, Male, Adult, Francis Gerard Niones Carpuz Male, Adult, Franz Jude Mayran, Male, Adult, Mahinay Junniel Lagura Male, Adult Mario Ganiban Malvan, Male, Adult, Hormachuelos Lordito Guivencan Male, Adult Joshua Emmanuel Hufanoa Male, Adult, and Edwin Baltazar Reyes Male, Adult sometime between October and November 2025 conspired among yourself to unlawfully transport 20 kilogrammes of cocaine, a narcotic drug thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 14 (b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation Nigeria 2004.

“That you Eugene Quinos Corpuz, Male Adult, Mark Joseph Jardiniano, Male, Adult, Alexis Navidad Evarrola, Male, Adult, Francis Gerard Niones Carpuz Male, Adult, Franz Jude Mayran, Male, Adult, Mahinay Junniel Lagura Male, Adult Mario Ganiban Malvan, Male, Adult, Hormachuelos Lordito Guivencan Male, Adult Joshua Emmanuel Hufanoa Male, Adult, and Edwin Baltazar Reyes MaleMale, Adult sometime between October and November 2025 conspired among yourself to import 20 kilogrammes of cocaine, a narcotic drug aboard the vessel MV Nord Bosporous and thereby committed an offence contrary to an punishable under Section 14 (b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004

“That you Eugene Quinos Corpuz, Male Adult, Mark Joseph Jardiniano, Male, Adult, Alexis Navidad Evarrola, Male, Adult, Francis Gerard Niones Carpuz Male, Adult, Franz Jude Mayran, Male, Adult, Mahinay Junniel Lagura Male, Adult Mario Ganiban Malvan, Male, Adult, Hormachuelos Lordito Guivencan Male, Adult Joshua Emmanuel Hufanoa Male, Adult, and Edwin Baltazar Reyes Male Male, Adult on about the 16th of November 2025 at GDNL Terminal, Apapa port Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court without lawful authority imported 20 Kilogrames of cocaine, a narcotic drug aboard the vessel MV Nord Bosporus and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 11(a) of the National Drug Law Enforcement agency act, CaP N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.”