A 51-year-old Nigerian national, Michael Okoya, appeared in the Klerksdorp Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 9 September 2025, facing charges of dealing in drugs.
Okoya was arrested on Monday, 8 September 2025, by members of the North West Provincial Anti-Drug Team and the Tactical Response Team (TRT).
His arrest followed a search and seizure operation conducted on 2 September 2025 at his Klerksdorp flat by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit, supported by Crime Intelligence and the TRT.
During the operation, police confiscated crystal meth, cat, and mandrax tablets, estimated to be worth over R1.5 million.
Okoya was not at home during the initial search, prompting authorities to launch a manhunt. The North West Provincial Anti-Drug Team and the TRT acted on information that led to his apprehension.
During his court appearance, Okoya was remanded in custody, and the case was postponed to 17 September 2025 to allow for further investigation.
Brigadier Georgia Moos, acting North West Head of the Hawks, and Dr. Rachel Makhari, Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, commended the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit and the NPA’s Organised Crime Component for their efforts in apprehending the accused.
