The scheduled judgment in the drug trafficking charges filed against a socialite, Mrs Funmilola Arike Ogbuaya, also known as Ariket, by a Federal High Court, Lagos, failed to come up on Friday February 13, as the court informed the parties that the judgment was not ready.
Justice Deinde Dipeolu who presided over the court, had on the last hearing of the criminal charges, fixed February 13, for judgment, after parties adopted their final written addresses.
However, no date has been fixed for the judgment, as parties were informed through the court’s Whatsapp group, that new date would be communicated.
The socialite, Mrs Funmilola Arike Ogbuaya, who is also known as Funmilola Ogundipe, was arraigned before the court by the NDLEA on a four-count charge of conspiracy, illegal possession, aiding and abetting, and attempting to smuggle 1.595 kg of cocaine into Saudi Arabia.
She was re-arraigned on April 24, 2024, alongside Odeyemi Omolola, her alleged co-conspirator, who is currently serving 25 years in prison for drug trafficking.
Both Ariket and Omolola were initially arraigned in 2017 before Justice Hadizat Rabiu-Shagari (now an Appeal Court Judge) on a five-count charge of conspiracy, aiding and abetting, unlawful possession, and attempting to export the banned drug.
While Omolola, also known as Ariyo Monsurat Olabisi, pleaded guilty to the charge and is now serving a 25-year sentence, Ariket pleaded not guilty and was granted bail.
