Justice Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has convicted and sentenced a Brazil returnee, Akudirinwa Hilary Uchenna, to two years imprisonment for trafficking in 13.2 kilograms of Cocaine.
The 53 year old convict has been standing trial before the court since June 6, 2022, when he was arraigned on a two count charge of conspiracy and trafficking in the prohibited substance by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
During the arraignment, the prosecutor, Mrs. Juliana Imaobong Iroabuchi, told the court that the convict was arrested with the banned substance, on April 9, 2022, during the inward clearance of passengers on Qatar Airways from Brazil to Nigeria at the D – Arrival Hall of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja.
She also disclosed to the court that the now convict conspired with the duo of Chima and Enyi, who are both resident in Brazil to commit the Illicit acts.
She added that the offences committed by the convict, contravened 11(b) and 14(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
The convict had denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Based on his plea, he was admitted to bail with various terms and conditions, but was unable to meet the Bail terms, hence he has been in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS) since the commencement and through his trial.
He however changed his plea on Friday with the court subsequently ordered that the charges be re-read to him for his plea to be retaken.
Upon re-reading of the charge, he pleaded guilty to the charges and the prosecutor reviewed the facts of the charge.
He was consequently sentenced to two years imprisonment by Justice Oweibo.
The judge also presented a fine option of N3 million to the convict however ordered that the convict’s jail-term starts from when he was arraigned.
The judge ordered that the sum of N3.352 million, domiciled with Zenith Bank in account number 2176669335, reportedly proceeds of illicit drug trade, be finally forfeited to the federal government of Nigeria.
