By Jude-Ken Ojinnaka
A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has convicted and sentenced a Qatar based Nigerian drug trafficker, Ngene Chinecherem Oscar to two years imprisonment or a fine of N1.5 million over exportation of 11.5 kilogrammes of Cannabis Sativa and 600 grammes of Tramadol 225 mg.
In count one of the charge filed before the court by NDLEA prosecuting counsel, Mr Augustine Nwagu, it was stated that Ngene Chinecherem Oscar, male, adult, on or about the 5th day of October 2023 during the outward clearance of passengers of Qatar Airways flight to Doha at the Departure Hall of Terminal 11, Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja – Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, without lawful authority exported 11.10 kilogrammes of Cannabis Sativa, a narcotic drug similar to Cocaine, Heroin and LSD and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 11(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30 laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
In count two of the charge Ngene Chinecherem Oscar, male, adult, was said to be on same time and place without lawful authority exported 600 grammes of Tramadol 225mg, a narcotic drug similar to Heroin and LSD and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 11(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30 laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
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When the charge was read to him, the defendant pleaded guilty, and thereafter Mr Augustine Nwagu applied to review the facts of the case which was granted.
After reviewing the fact of the case, he urged the court to convict the defendant as charged.
After hearing the review of facts and the evidence tendered before the court as exhibits, the presiding Judge, Honorable Justice Nicholas Oweibo convicted him accordingly as charged.
However, the defendant’s counsel Uche Okoronkwo pleaded with the court to tamper justice with mercy in sentencing the convict.
In his judgement, Justice Oweibo sentenced the convict to two years imprisonment or an option of N1.5 million fine.