Court Fixes Feb. 13, For Judgment In Socialite, Ariket’s Alleged Drug Trafficking Case
Justice Deinde Dipeolu of a Federal High Court, Lagos, has fixed February 13, 2026, for judgment in alleged drug trafficking offences filed against a socialite, Mrs. Funmilola Arike Ogbuaya, popularly called Ariket, by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The defendant popularly called Arike in social circle is facing trial before the court a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy, unlawful possession, aiding and abetting and attempting to smuggle 1.595 kilogrammes of cocaine to Saudi Arabia.
The socialite who is also known as Funmilola Ogundipe, was re-arraigned alongside her alleged convicted co-conspirator, Odeyemi Omolola, who is currently serving 25 years jail-term, for drug trafficking on April 24, last year
Both Ariket and the convicted co-conspirator, Omolola, were first arraigned before Justice Hadizat Rabiu-Shagari (now a Court of Appeal Judge) in 2017, on a five-count charge of conspiracy, aiding and abetting, unlawful possession of banned drug, and attempting to export the said banned drug to Saudi Arabia.
While Omolara, who is also known as Ariyo Monsurat Olabisi, now serving jail-term, was arraigned on charges of conspiracy, unlawful possession of banned drug, and attempt to export the said banned drug to Saudi Arabia. Arike was arraigned on charges of conspiracy, aiding and abetting and procuring the convict for the purpose of trafficking the prohibited drug.
Upon their first arrraignment, both Ariket and convicted Omolara had pleaded not guilty to the charges and were admitted to bail on various terms by the court.
But, midway to the trial, the convict, also known as Ariyo Monsurat Olabisi, signified her intention to change her plea, which was granted by the court.
Upon the re-reading of the charge, she pleaded guilty to the charge of attempting to illegally export the prohibited drug to Saudi-Arabia, and she was sentenced to 25 years imprisonment.
Dissatisfied with Justice Shagari’s judgment, the convict, through her lawyer, appealed her conviction. But her appeal was dismissed on February 26, 2021, after affirming Justice Shagari’s judgment by a three-man-panel led by Justice Ebiowei Tobi, for lacking in merit.
But about 10 years after their first arraignment, both the socialite, Arike and her convicted conspirator, Omolara, were again re-arraigned on the same four-count charge, before Justice Deinde Dipeolu.
While Ariket still maintained her innocence on the charges preferred against her and pleaded not guilty to the charges, convicted Omolara pleaded guilty to the charge, and she was again sentenced to another 15 years imprisonment, but the judge ruled that the 15 years imprisonment should run concurrently with the earlier 25 years jail-term.
During Ariket’s trial, the prosecutor, Barrister Abu Ibrahim called nine witnesses as well, tendered several exhibits which were admitted by the court.
Upon conclusion of the prosecution’s case sometimes in early this year, Ariket through her lawyer, Barrister Galadima, filed a No-Case- Submission, which was dismissed by the court on the ground that the prosecution has established prima facie case has been established against her.
In dismissing Ariket’s no case submissions, Justice Dipeolu held that: “from the evidence adduced by the Prosecution witness one to nine, a prima facie case has been established against the defendant. There is a need for the defendant to open her defence against the charges against her.”
Following the dismissal of the socialite’s No-Case-submission, and in defending herself against the charges against her, the socialite and her daughter, Oluwadunmininu Ogbuaya, testified as first and second defence witnesses.
Upon conclusion of the defendant’s testimony, parties were were directed to file their written addresses, which were adopted last Thursday.
Justice Dipeolu, after taking submissions from the parties on the written addresses, consequently adjourned the matter to February 13, 2026, for judgment
Charges against the socialite and her convicted partner reads: “that you Odeyemi Omolara a.k.a Ariyo Monsurat Olabisi, Female, Adult of No. 27, Adebule Street, Off Palm Avenue, Mushin, Lagos State, and Funmilola Arike Ogbuaya a.k.a Ariket, Funmilola Ogundipe on about the 23rd February 2017 conspired to Export 1.595 Kilograms of Cocaine, a Narcotic Drug and you 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 of Nigeria, 2004.
“That you Funmilola Arike Ogbuaya a.k.a Ariket, Funmilola Ogundipe on or about the 24th February 2017 aided one Odeyemi Omolara a.k.a Ariyo Monsurat Olabisi to Export 1.595 kilogrammes of Cocaine, a Narcotic Drug and you 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 of Nigeria, 2004.
“That you Funmilola Arike Ogbuaya a.k.a Ariket, Funmilola Ogundipe on or about the 24 February 2017 procured one Odeyemi Omolara a.k.a Ariyo Monsurat Olabisi to Export 1.595 kilogrammes of Cocaine, a Narcotic Drug and you 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 of Nigeria, 2004.
“That you Odeyemi Omolara a.k.a Ariyo Monsurat Olabisi, Female, Adult of No. 27, Adebule Street, Off Palm Avenue, Mushin, Lagos State on or about the 24th February 2017 without Lawful Authority knowingly possessed 1.595 kilogrammes of Cocaine, a Narcotic Drug and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 19 of the National Drug Law Enforcement agency Act Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.”
