By REGINALD KANYANE
5 August 2025 – Three Nigerian nationals sentenced to a combined 35 years by the Potchefstroom Magistrate’s Court for dealing and possession of drugs. The accused, Oluebedu Okeke (42), Chierota MGbekutha (47) and Ekene Eze (44), were arrested in August 2023, following an elaborate undercover organised crime investigation in which they were positively linked to numerous incidents of dealing in and distribution of drugs.
The North West police spokesperson, Captain Mpho Manyoba said the trio first came into the radar of the police in March 2022, after a tip-off regarding a certain unidentified individuals who were peddling and selling drugs in Fochville, Gauteng Province, Potchefstroom, Klerksdorp and Ventersdorp. Manyoba said in the process, a variety of drugs such as kat, crystal meth and ecstasy with an estimated street value of R550 000 were seized.
“Okeke, MGbekutha and Eze, who have been in custody since their arrests, made several court appearances until they pleaded guilty and were sentenced on 4 August 2025. Okeke was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment for dealing in drugs and possession of drugs and MGbekutha was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for possession of drugs.
“Eze was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment for dealing in drugs and possession of drugs. He was given an additional one-year imprisonment for the second count of dealing in drugs. The court ordered that the accused be deported to their country of origin after serving their jail terms,” she said.
Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng, welcomed a combined 35 years imprisonment handed down to three Nigerian nationals. Asaneng said the arrests and lengthy sentences imposed on the drug peddlers is welcomed and it must send a strong message to others like them, who have out greed and total disrespect, turned our towns, townships and villages into havens and playgrounds for peddling and destroying the youth with drugs.
“I am still calling upon all law-abiding citizens including parents, educators and landlords to be vigilant in making sure that they do not harbour or allow criminal syndicates to rent or use their premises for criminal enterprises, but to immediately notify their trusted local police,” he said.
The Guardian 