Court convicts drug dealer over 52.8g tramadol, 132.9g benhzexol
By Onyewuchi Ojinnaka
A Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi Lagos has fixed November 11 for sentencing one Mr Dali Markus who was found guilty for dealing on 52.8 grammes of 225milligrammes Tramadol, and 132.9 grammes of 5 milligrammes of Benhzexol, sychotropic substances similar to Cocaine, Heroin and LSD.
The trial Judge, Justice Ayokunle Faji adjourned the case for sentencing after the prosecution reviewed the facts of the case following the arraignment of the defendant who pleaded guilty to the two counts.
When the case was called, Chidinma O. Izuagba Esq announced appearance for the prosecution while Bolanle Kolawole Esq represented the defendant.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) counsel Izuagba told the court that she filed a two counts amended charge dated 25th September, 2026 against the defendant and applied that the charge be read for him to take a plea.
Her prayer was granted and the charge was subsequently read to Markus. He pleaded guilty to the charge.
According to the amended charge marked FHC/LAG/CR/736/26, Dali Markus was said to have in August 2026 at Kirikiri Area of TINCAN Port, Lagos State within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, without lawful authority dealt in 52.8 grammes of 225 milligrammes Tramadol, and 132.9 grammes of 5 milligrammes Benhzexol, a psychotropic substance similar to Cocaine, LSD and Heroine.
The offence is contrary to and punishable under Section 11(c) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
In view of the guilty plea of the defendant, the prosecution reviewed the facts of the case and called one witness (PW1) Kenneth Babajiya, an NDLEA officer. The witness led in evidence by C. Izuagba Esq narrated how the defendant was brought to his office with the substances suspected to be harmful and prohibited. The substances were taken to the scientific laboratory where they were diagnosed and proved positive.
He tendered some documents and items as his evidence which were not objected by the defence counsel. The court admitted the documents and bulk of the substances as exhibits. There was no cross examination by defence counsel.
After going through the exhibits tendered and admitted, the plea of the defendant, the provision of NDLEA Act and ACJA, the court found Dali Markus guilty as charged.
In her allocutus, the defence counsel Bolanle Kolawole, urged the court to be lenient in sentencing the convict. She submitted that the convict has learnt his bitter lesson, sober and remorseful. He urged the court to tamper justice with mercy and give the convict a non custodial sentence, preferably an option for fine.
After listening to the allocutus, Justice Faji adjourned the case for sentencing to November 11.
The two counts amended charge read:
“That you DALI MARKUS, Male, Adult, on or about the 21st day of August, 2026 at Kirikiri Area of TINCAN Port, Lagos State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, without lawful authority dealt in 52.8 grammes of 225 milligrammes of Tramadol, a psychotropic substance similar to Cocaine, LSD and Heroine and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 11(c) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
“That you DALI MARKUS, Male, Adult, on or about the 21st day of August. 2026
at Kirikiri Area of TINCAN Port, Lagos State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, without lawful authority dealt in 132.9 grammes of 5 milligrammes Benhzexol, a psychotropic substance similar to Cocaine, LSD and Heroine and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 11(c) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.”
