LAGOS — A Federal High Court in Lagos has formally adopted a plea bargain agreement between the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and ten Thai nationals, crew members of the vessel *MV Chayanee Naree*, bringing to a close a significant chapter in a transnational drug trafficking case.
Justice Daniel Osiagor, presiding over the matter, ruled that the court was satisfied with the terms of the agreement, which saw the Thai sailors plead guilty to the unlawful importation of 32.9 kilograms of cocaine into Nigeria.
The judge confirmed that the deal was entered into voluntarily and without coercion, and thus accepted it as the judgment of the court.
As part of the settlement, the vessel itself was fined \$4 million, while seven crew members were each ordered to pay \$30,000. The ship’s three captains—Krilerk Tanakhan, Boonlert Hansoongnern, and Jakkarin Booncharoen—received higher individual penalties of \$50,000 each. Additionally, all ten convicts are to pay N100,000 each as restitution.
The plea agreement allows the convicts to avoid lengthy prison sentences. Upon full payment of fines and restitution, they will be permitted to return to Thailand.
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Initially arraigned in February 2022, the Thai crew members were charged alongside nine Nigerian nationals who allegedly acted as dockworkers aboard the intercepted vessel.
However, the Nigerians were not included in the plea bargain and remain on trial.
The NDLEA charged that the drug shipment was smuggled from Santos Port, Brazil, and arrived in Lagos on October 13, 2021.
It further alleged that the accused failed to take adequate measures to prevent the vessel from being used for drug trafficking, in violation of multiple sections of the NDLEA Act.
The plea bargain was facilitated by a robust legal representation for the Thai crew, led by Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) Babajide Koku, Femi Atoyebi, and Tunde Adejuyigbe.
The prosecution team included NDLEA counsel Theresa Asuquo, A. Adebayo, and Paul Awogbuyi.
Justice Osiagor adjourned proceedings for the Nigerian defendants to July 25, 2025, as their trial continues separately.
The court’s acceptance of the plea bargain highlights the increasing use of negotiated justice in Nigeria’s criminal justice system particularly in complex, international cases where cooperation, expedited resolution, and restitution are prioritized.
