15-Year Prison Sentence for Italy-Based Nigerian in Tramadol Trafficking Case

A Federal High Court located in Ikoyi, Lagos, has imposed a 15-year prison term on Solomon Adegbite, a Nigerian based in Italy, after finding him guilty of trafficking 1.30 kilograms of tramadol 225 mg, which is classified as a prohibited drug.

According to the details of the case, Adegbite was detained on July 22, 2025, while going through passenger checks for a Royal Air Maroc flight headed to Italy via Casablanca, Morocco, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja, Lagos.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) accused him of holding 1.30 kg of tramadol 225mg, which he had hidden inside a thick winter jacket, attempting to avoid detection by airport security.

Adegbite, who has faced drug-related arrests on three prior occasions, including one in 2024, was convicted after pleading guilty to a total of 15 charges brought forth by the NDLEA.

The presiding judge, Justice Musa Kakaki, announced the verdict on Wednesday, following Adegbite's guilty plea. He was arrested while attempting to smuggle the drug, which prompted legal action by the NDLEA.

During the proceedings, the prosecutor from the NDLEA, Juliana Imaobong Iroabuchi, indicated that Adegbite would face a serious sentence due to the nature of his crime and his history of drug offences, noting that this was his third arrest related to drugs.

The court found sufficient evidence to convict him after a thorough examination of facts during the March 16, 2026 hearing, where relevant exhibits were presented.

In addition to the prison sentence, the court mandated that several items be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria. These included Adegbite’s residency permit for Italy, his Nigerian international passport, a Samsung Galaxy A22 mobile phone, and his bank accounts associated with Aderevico Pharmacy.

The judge also pointed out that the NDLEA had accused Adegbite of attempting to manipulate his travel documents by using an expired residence permit during his third arrest.

The law under which he was sentenced, Sections 11(d) and 20(a)(c) of the NDLEA Act, Cap N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, allows for such punitive measures against drug trafficking offenses.