By Jude-Ken Ojinnaka
Justice Ibrahim Kala of a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has convicted and sentenced a 56 year old man, Livinus Ignore to 2 years imprisonment for trafficking in 1.2 kilograms of Cocaine, a prohibited hard drug.
The judge passed the sentence on Livinus Igbokwe after he pleaded guilty to two counts charge of conspiracy and trafficking in the prohibited substance preferred against him by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
However, the convict was given an option of fine of N500,000 by Justice Kala in lieu of the prison term.
According to the charge filed by the prosecutor, Mr. Augustine Nwagu, the convict was arrested on February 9, 2024, with the prohibited drug at Ekeson Motor Park, 100, Badagry Express Way, Lafia Bus Stop, Orile Iganmu, Lagos.
The convict was said to have conspired with the duo of Mr. Nick and one Emmanuel, who are now at large to commit the illegal act.
The prosecutor informed the court that the convict and others now at large, trafficked the drug from Lagos to Onitsha, Anambra State.
He told the court that the convict’s acts contravened Sections 14(b) and 20(1)(c) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. and punishable under the same Act.
When the charge preferred against Livinus Igbokwe was read to him in the open court, he admitted committing the crimes and pleaded guilty to the charges.
Following his guilty plea, the prosecutor reviewed the facts of the charge, and as well tendered several exhibits which include, his confessional statements, bulk of the prohibited drug seized from him and others. These items were admitted by the court as exhibits.
Upon conclusion of the review of the facts, the prosecutor urged the court to convict and sentence him according to the NDLEA Acts which he was charged with.
But the defence counsel, Chief Benson Ndakara, in his allocutus, pleaded with the court to tamper justice with mercy in sentencing the convict..
After citing plethora of legal authorities, Chief Ndakara urged the court to consider the option of fine in lieu of the custodian sentence.
In his judgement, the judge sentenced the convict to two years imprisonment. Alternatively, the judge ordered the convict to pay the sum of N500, 000, 00 as option of fine in lieu for the prison term.
