KAKATA– Margibi County court has found Prince Okeke, a Nigerian national, guilty of multiple drug-related offenses, including Unlicensed Importation, Illicit Trafficking of Controlled Substances, Criminal Conspiracy, and Criminal Facilitation.
The verdict was delivered on January 19, 2026, by Resident Circuit Judge Victoria Worlobah Duncan of the 13th Judicial Circuit Court. The matter has been scheduled for sentencing on January 23, 2026, following the submission of the Probation Office Presentence Report, in line with Chapter 31, Section 31.5 of the Criminal Procedure Law.
Court records show that Okeke was indicted after a Grand Jury investigation into the importation, sale, and distribution of 8.642 kilograms of raw heroin, valued at US$388,890 (approx. LD$73,089,100). The drugs were intercepted in February 2025 at Roberts International Airport (RIA) during a coordinated operation by the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA).
According to LDEA reports, Okeke had been on the run since February 1, 2025, following the arrest of his associates, Arondo L. Bonancy and Abel S. Gbedia, who were tasked with receiving the shipment. During this period, Okeke reportedly switched off his phone to avoid detection, only to be located and arrested in Paynesville on June 14, 2025.
During the trial, LDEA investigators testified that Okeke had knowledge of the drug operation and deliberately evaded authorities. Okeke, in his own statement, admitted to providing financial assistance to one of his accomplices but denied direct involvement in trafficking.
Judge Duncan noted that Okekeโs prolonged flight from law enforcement, combined with corroborating testimonies, constituted strong circumstantial evidence of guilt, citing precedent from the Supreme Court of Liberia that recognizes flight as indicative of criminal consciousness.
The defense had withdrawn its motion to dismiss and waived a jury trial, allowing the court to act as the jury of facts. Sentencing will proceed based on the presentence report from the Probation Office.
Legal observers say the conviction highlights Liberiaโs ongoing commitment to cracking down on illicit drug trafficking and prosecuting foreign nationals involved in organized criminal networks operating within the country.
