Nigerian Man Charged Over Ksh 9.8 Million Heroin Trafficking in Mombasa

A 35-year-old Nigerian national has been arraigned before a Mombasa court over allegations of trafficking heroin valued at nearly Ksh 10 million, in a case highlighting Kenya’s ongoing fight against narcotics trafficking.

Emmanuel Chimezie Okwara was charged on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, with trafficking in narcotic drugs, contrary to Section 4(a)(ii) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) Act No. 4 of 1994, as amended by the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Control) (Amendment) Act, 2022.

Senior Resident Magistrate Gladys Ollimo heard that Okwara was allegedly found trafficking heroin by storing 3,265.0 grams of the drug with a market value of Ksh 9,795,000.

According to court documents, the offence allegedly occurred on April 15, 2026, in the Kadzandani area of Kisauni Sub-County within Mombasa County.

Second Charge of Unlawful Presence in Kenya

In addition to the drug trafficking charge, Okwara faced a second count of being unlawfully present in Kenya.

The charge was brought under Section 53(1)(j), as read with Section 53(2) of the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act No. 12 of 2011.

The charge sheet states that, being a Nigerian citizen and not an exempted person, the accused was found in Kenya without a valid passport or permit.

Okwara pleaded not guilty to both charges.

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Prosecution Opposes Release on Bond

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) opposed the accused’s application to be released on reasonable bond terms, arguing that he poses a significant flight risk.

The prosecution told the court that the seriousness of the charges increases the likelihood that the accused could abscond from trial.

“He is a flight risk with no permanent roots; hence, this court should not admit him to bond,” the prosecution stated.

The prosecution further argued that the accused had been residing unlawfully in Kenya, noting that his lawyer confirmed in court that he had been living in Bamburi, Mombasa, since 2022.

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Concerns Over Rising Drug Trafficking Cases

Prosecutors also informed the court that the accused failed to produce any documentation to prove his legal presence in the country.

They urged the court to take judicial notice of the increasing cases of drug trafficking across the country when considering the bond application.

The Director of Public Prosecutions asked the court to deny the accused bond, citing concerns about public safety and the risk of absconding.

Court to Rule on Bond Application

The court is expected to deliver its ruling on whether the accused will be granted bond on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, as the case continues.

Authorities have maintained that tackling drug trafficking remains a key priority in safeguarding communities and curbing the spread of narcotics within the country.

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The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) headquarters. PHOTO/ODPP