Lagos Socialite Ariket Sentenced to 45 Years for Drug Trafficking

Funmilola Arik Ogbuaya, popularly known as Ariket, was sentenced to 45 years in prison by Justice Dehinde Dipeolu at the Federal High Court in Lagos for her involvement in the unlawful export of 1.595 kilograms of cocaine to Saudi Arabia. The court found her guilty on three counts of conspiracy and unlawful possession of narcotic drugs, with the sentence set to run concurrently, resulting in a 15-year prison term starting from her arrest date on May 19, 2017.

During the trial, co-accused Odeyemi Omolara K. Ariyo, who was arrested on February 23, 2017, implicated Ariket, claiming she provided the bag containing the drugs.

Omolara was previously sentenced to 25 years in prison for drug trafficking. Ariket maintained her innocence throughout the trial, asserting that she only provided financial assistance to Omolara, who had visited her home.

The prosecution successfully proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt, leading to Ariket's conviction.