Nigerian businessman risks 12-year jail term in Ethiopia

By Bianca Iboma-Emefu

A 65-year-old Nigerian businessman battling prostate cancer, hypertension and diabetes is languishing in an Ethiopian prison over a crime he insists he did not commit.

A separate investigation in Nigeria appears to support his claim of innocence, while an advocacy group has warned that his life is now at risk.

Nnamdi Peter Okafor, Managing Director of Afroasian Medic and Miles Logistics Ventures, has been detained in Addis Ababa since March 17, 2026, after Ethiopian authorities allegedly found 5.8 kilograms of cocaine concealed inside what appeared to be food items in his luggage at Bole International Airport. He faces a prison sentence of up to 12 years if convicted.

Reacting to the allegation, Okafor maintained that he had no knowledge of how the drugs found their way into his luggage.

Back in Lagos, developments emerged that appear to corroborate his account.

Following Okafor’s arrest, a staff member, Success Iyamu, who had handled the consignment, contacted the original client. The client subsequently sent another shipment through the same channel. Acting on intelligence, operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, working in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), laid an ambush.

When Dickson Akputa Ejike delivered the packages to Ojo Barracks, he was arrested. Initial searches revealed nothing suspicious until officers broke open a stockfish head and allegedly discovered cocaine concealed inside using the same method as the consignment that led to Okafor’s arrest in Ethiopia.

Ejike reportedly admitted ownership of the bags and was subsequently convicted and sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment.

Okafor, however, remains in custody thousands of kilometres away from home.

The Advocates for Global Peace Forum International (AGPFI) has taken up his case, writing urgent petitions to NDLEA offices in Lagos and Abuja. According to the group, meetings have been held with the agency, which promised to intensify efforts to address the matter. However, AGPFI noted that Okafor’s deteriorating health condition leaves little room for delay.

Speaking during a media briefing in Lagos, the Secretary-General of AGPFI, Ngozi Maureen Ani, appealed to Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nigerian Embassy in Ethiopia and Ethiopian authorities to review the case in light of evidence emerging from investigations in Nigeria.

“Mr. Okafor is at risk of being jailed for up to 12 years for a crime he had no knowledge of,” Ani said. “He was exploited by criminal elements who manipulated his legitimate business activities. His prolonged incarceration has caused immense emotional, financial and psychological suffering.”

Family members and colleagues say his health has deteriorated significantly since his detention. They argue that the combination of prostate cancer, hypertension, diabetes and other ailments, allegedly inadequately treated in custody, has transformed what began as a criminal case into a humanitarian concern.

“Justice must be fair and humane,” Ani added. “We urge the relevant authorities to facilitate a thorough review of the case and ensure Mr. Okafor’s immediate release.”

The case highlights a vulnerability often exploited by drug trafficking syndicates, which use legitimate logistics operators involved in international shipments and parcel deliveries.

According to AGPFI, Okafor’s company had worked with the same customer since the previous year, primarily shipping food items to Nigerians in India, and nothing in their previous dealings had raised suspicion.

The group is now urging Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to urgently transmit the exculpatory evidence uncovered during the Nigerian investigation to Ethiopian judicial authorities. Until then, Okafor remains behind bars awaiting the outcome of his case.