A Nigerian national living in Malta was convicted of conspiring to traffic, supply, and possess over 1,744g of cocaine in a case delayed 19 years by prosecutorial failings.
Criminal Court · Hon. Madam Justice Natasha Galea Sciberras B.A., LL.D · 29 April 2026
In February and March 2007, Maltese police uncovered a significant cocaine trafficking operation in which Gordian Azuogu Ohaegbu, a Nigerian national residing in Malta, played a central role. On 1 February 2007, Drug Squad officers acting on a tip searched an apartment in Mensija Street, St Julian's, finding 97 capsules containing 955 grams of cocaine that had been sold by Ohaegbu to two associates. On 15 March 2007, a third individual arriving from London was arrested at the airport carrying 68 capsules containing 788.58 grams of cocaine intended for delivery to Ohaegbu. The total cocaine involved across both seizures amounted to approximately 1,744.6 grams. Ohaegbu was charged on three counts under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, Chapter 101: conspiracy to traffic in cocaine, supply or distribution of cocaine, and possession of cocaine in circumstances indicating it was not for personal use. Unlike his three co-accused — Alberto Alessandro Bafumi, Darren Aquilina, and Benedict Nyumah — who all pleaded guilty before the jury trial, Ohaegbu contested the charges. On 18 April 2026, a jury of nine found him guilty on all three counts by a majority of seven votes to two. The case became remarkable for its extraordinary procedural history. Although Ohaegbu was first arraigned in 2007, the Bill of Indictment was not issued until September 2023 — sixteen years later — due almost entirely to prosecutorial inaction, with evidence being presented piecemeal and inconsistently across some 166 sittings. The First Hall of the Civil Court (Constitutional Jurisdiction) had already found in June 2023 that the delay violated Ohaegbu's fundamental right to a fair hearing within a reasonable time and awarded him damages. His trial by jury then took a further three years to be appointed. In determining sentence, Justice Galea Sciberras weighed these competing factors carefully. On the one hand, the total quantity of cocaine, Ohaegbu's role as the organiser receiving drugs from multiple couriers, and the need for deterrence warranted a higher sentence than those given to his co-accused. On the other hand, the court gave significant weight to the unreasonable delay — entirely attributable to the prosecution — Ohaegbu's clean criminal record despite living in Malta for thirty years, and the fact that no other criminal proceedings had been brought against him in the interim. The court sentenced him to 12 years and 6 months imprisonment and a fine of €30,000.
Gordian Azuogu Ohaegbu found guilty on all three counts (conspiracy to traffic cocaine, supply/distribution of cocaine, possession of cocaine not for personal use) by jury verdict of 7-2. Sentenced to 12 years and 6 months imprisonment (less time in preventive custody), a fine (multa) of €30,000 (convertible to imprisonment in default), expert costs of €800.05 plus a further half-share of costs relating to reports MM1 and MM2 (to be determined by the Registrar, payable within 3 years or converted to imprisonment). Full forfeiture to the Government of Malta of all articles, monies, moveable and immoveable property. Destruction of exhibited drugs ordered once judgment is final.
Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, Chapter 101 of the Laws of Malta (Articles 9, 10(1), 12, 14, 20, 22, 22A, 24A, 26, 29); Subsidiary Legislation 101.02 (Internal Control of Dangerous Drugs Regulations G.N. 292/1939); Criminal Code Articles 17, 23, 23A, 23B, 23C, 533