NDLEA says diligent prosecution of cases filed in courts against drug offenders will go a long way in strengthening the deterrence effect of the work of the Agency.
By Emma Ogbuehi
No fewer than 475 persons have been convicted and sentenced to various jail terms between September and November 2021 following charges filed against them by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, at Federal High Courts across the country.
NDLEA Director, Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, who made the disclosure, stated that the figure represents part of the over 1,000 traffickers that were jailed between January and November for drug offences.
Giving a breakdown of the number, Babfemi noted that in September, a total of 73 persons were convicted with Jigawa state recording the highest figure of 15 convicts, followed by Adamawa -14 and FCT-11.
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Jigawa state also topped the chart of the 150 convictions recorded by the Agency in October with 14 convicts, followed by Niger-13; Katsina-12; Taraba-11 and Lagos- 11.
Adamawa and Abia states had the highest conviction figure in November with 23 each out of a total of 252 convictions recorded by the anti-narcotic agency in the past month, while FCT had 21 and Plateau- 14.
Interesting highlights of some of the cases include that of 32-year-old Chukwuemeka Kalu Orji who was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment with hard labour on October 13, by Justice E.N.Anyadike of the Federal High Court, Umuahia, Abia state. The sentence makes it the third time Kalu Orji will be convicted and jailed for drug offences. He was first sentenced to eight months in prison on December 15, 2017 by Justice Anyadike, and jailed for three years on December 13, 2020 by Justice D.E. Osiagor.
In a similar case, 58-year-old Obi Ajah was convicted and sentenced to five calendar years imprisonment with hard labour on October 13, by Justice Anyadike. The convict is a second time offender, having been convicted on November 29, 2012 by Justice J.A. Olubanjo of the Federal High Court, Umuahia.
Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) has commended the various state commands and the Directorate of Prosecution and Legal Services of the Agency for their commitment to diligent prosecution of cases filed in courts against drug offenders, saying such will go a long way to strengthen the deterrence effect of the work of the Agency.
