By Jude-Ken Ojinnaka
A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos presided over by Justice Akintayo Aluko has sentenced two men to various terms of imprisonment over illegal dealing in 8.49 kilograms of cocaine.
Justice Aluko sentenced Nruama Chinemelum Precious (1st defendant) to 3 years imprisonment on each of the six counts, cumulating 18 years with an option of fine of N2. 4 million.
But the second defendant Adelakun Ilemobayo Oluwasegun was sentenced to 3 years on each of the four counts, cumulating 12 years without option of fine.
The second defendant was however, not given an option of fine because he was an ex- convict.
Justice Aluko ruled that while the term of imprisonment for both convicts would run concurrently, the option of fine for the first defendant. Nruama Chinemelum Precious would have to be cumulative.
The conviction and sentence of both drug traffickers by the trial Judge was sequel to their admission of guilt when they were arraigned by Counsel to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mr Umar Hussaini before Justice Akintayo Aluko of the Federal High Court, Lagos.
According to the charge the two drug traffickers, Nruama Chinemelum Precious and Adelakun Ilemobayo Oluwasegun were alleged in a six count charge of unlawful and illegal possession of 8.49 kilograms of Cocaine, a substance similar to Heroin and LSD.
According to the prosecutor, Umar Hussaini, the offence is contrary to and punishable under Section 14 (b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act CAP N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 (As amended).
Following the reading of the charge and the plea of guilt by the convicts, the prosecutor reviewed the facts of the case by tendering all the necessary exhibits and urged the court to convict them as charged.
In a short ruling, Justice Aluko convicted both drug traffickers following the review of facts of the case.
Following the convictions , counsel to the defendants, Mr Uche Okoronkwo in a short allocutus pleaded for mercy on behalf of the convicts, adding that they have learnt their lesson and become remorseful and have pledged never to go into crime if given another opportunity.
Okoronkwo also made case for a non custodian sentences by awarding fine instead of imprisonment.
Delivering his judgement, Justice Aluko sentenced the first defendant, Nruama Chinemelum Precious to three years imprisonment on each of the six counts charge with an option of fine of N400,000 on each of the counts. The first defendant, Nruama Precious is also to serve four week community service.
In the same vein, the second defendant, Adelakun Ilemobayo Oluwasegun was sentenced to three years imprisonment without an option of fine as he is an ex- convict.
Some of the counts against the convicts reads:
Count 1
That you NRUAMA CHINEMELUM PRECIOUS, Adult, male, Nigerian Citizen and you ADELAKUN ILELABAYO OLUADE, Adult, Male, Nigerian Citizen, on or about the 4th day of August 2023, at Atlantic Ocean Nominee Estate along Lekki-Epe Express Way, Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, without Lawful Authority, Conspired and possessed 8.49 kilograms of COCAINE, a substance similar to Heroin and LSD and both of you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 14 (b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act CAP N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 (As amended).
Count 2
That you NRUAMA CHINEMELUM PRECIOUS, Adult, male, Nigerian Citizen and you ADELAKUN ILELABAYO OLUADE, Adult, Mate, Nigerian Citizen, on or about the 4th day of August 2023, at Atlantic Ocean Nominee Estate along Lekki-Epe Express Way, Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, without Lawful Authority, conspired and dealt in 8.49 kilograms of COCAINE, a substance similar to Heroin and LSD and both of you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 14
Count 3
That you NRUAMA CHINEMELUM PRECIOUS, Adult, Male, Nigerian en,on or about 4th day of August, 2023 at Flat Alb/A2, House 7A, Road agra Estate, Etl Osa, off Lekki-Epe Express Way, Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, without Lawful Authority, dealt in 18.5 grams of CANNABIS Substances, a substances similar to Cocaine, Heroin }LSO and you thereby committed an Offence Contrary to and punishable under section 11(c) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act CAP N30 of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 (As amended).
