A Lagos Federal High Court has convicted and sentenced a Canada-based Nigerian, Ughenu Nnaife Francis, to 15 years imprisonment, for trafficking in 164.50 kilograms of Cannabis Loud, a prohibited substance.
Justice Deinde Dipeolu convicted him
after he pleaded guilty to a three count-charge of conspiracy, trafficking and unlawful important of the banned substance, which was liken to cocaine, heroin and other psychotropic substances, by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Prior his conviction and sentence, the prosecutor, Mr. Abu Ibrahim, informed the court that the convict, was arrested with the prohibited drug which he concealed in eight big suit cases, on May 30, 2024, at the ‘E’ Arrival Hall of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja-Lagos, during inward clearance of passengers on of KLM flight from Canada to Nigeria.
The prosecutor also told the court that the convicted Ughenu Francis, committed the offences with one Black (now at large).
He further informed the court that the convict, procured one, Ahmadu Abubakar, who was charged with him, to commit the illegal acts.
The prosecutor told the court that the offences committed by the convict, who is a Nigeria-German citizen, Canada are contrary to Sections 14(b), 21(2)(d) and 20(1)(a) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. And punishable under sections 11(b) and 20(2)(a) of the same Act.
When the charge was read to him, the defendant admitted committing the offences and pleaded guilty to the charges.
Following his guilty plea, the prosecutor, Mr. Ibrahim urged the court to convict and sentence him in accordance with relevant Sections of the NDLEA Acts.
The convict, through his lawyer, Uche Okoronkwo after citing legal authorities, pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy, adding that
the defendant did not wast the precious time of the court.
Besides, he urged the court to consider the fact that the defendant is a first time offender.
The convict’s lawyer also pleaded with the court to give his client an option of fine in lieu of the jail-term.
Justice Dipeolu, in his judgment after listening to the prosecutor and the defence counsel sentenced him to five years in each of the three counts.
The judge however, ordered that the jail terms shall run concurrently. But ordered the convict to pay a fine option of N10 million fine in lieu of the jail-term.
Meanwhile, the convict’s co-conspirator, Ahmadu Abubakar, was granted bail, after he pleaded not guilty to the charges of conspiracy and trafficking in the same banned substance.
Ahmadu had denied the allegations made against him by the NDLEA when he was arraigned alongside Ughenu Nnaife Francis in a charge marked FHC/L/658c/2024.
Following his plea of not guilty, he was granted bail in the sum of N30 million with two sureties like sum.
One of the sureties must be a Grade level 14 officer in either Lagos State or Federal government establishment, while the second surety must be a landed property owner with the court’s jurisdiction.
Further hearing of the matter has been adjourned till the resume of the court from long vacation.
