Lagos Court Fines MV Nord Bosporu $6M for Drug Smuggling

On November 16, 2025, a Federal High Court in Lagos convicted ten Filipino sailors of the merchant vessel MV Nord Bosporu for cocaine smuggling, imposing a total fine of $6 million. The sailors, including Eugen Quino Corpuz and Mark Joseph Jardiniano, pled guilty under a plea bargain agreement.

The court, presided over by Justice Ayokunle Faji, found the vessel guilty of offenses under Section 25 of the NDLEA Act. The judgment included a penalty of N100,000 and a restitution order of $5,350,000 to the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Brig Gen Mohammed Buba Marwa, Chairman of the NDLEA, described the conviction as a significant victory for the rule of law and a warning to international drug cartels. He emphasized that Nigeria's waters would no longer serve as a playground for illicit drug trade.

The NDLEA highlighted its commitment to dismantling drug supply chains in Nigeria and safeguarding the nation's youth.