A Lagos Federal High Court, on Thursday, convicted and sentenced a Canada returnee, Ughenu Nnaife Francis, to 15 years imprisonment, for trafficking in 164.50 kilograms of Cannabis Loud, a prohibited substance.
Ughenu Nnaife Francis, who is a Nigeria-German citizen, was given the jail-term by Justice Deinde I. Dipeolu, who presided over the court, after he pleaded guilty to a three count-charge of conspiracy, trafficking and unlawful important of the banned substance, which was liken to cocaine, heroin and other psychotropic substances, by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Prior, to Ughenu Nnaife Francis’ conviction and sentence, the prosecutor, Mr. Abu Ibrahim, informed the court that the convict, was arrested with the prohibited drug which he concealed in eight big suit cases, on May 30, 2024, at the ‘E’ Arrival Hall of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja-Lagos, during inward clearance of passengers on of KLM flight from Canada to Nigeria.
The prosecutor also told the court that the convicted Ughenu Nnaife Francis committed the offences with one Black (now at large).
He further informed the court the convict, procured one, Ahmadu Abubakar, who was charged with him, to commit the illegal acts.
The prosecutor told the court that the offences committed by the convicted Canada returned, are contrary to Sections 14(b), 21(2)(d) and 20(1)(a) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. And punishable under sections 11(b) and 20(2)(a) of the same Act.
The convicted Ughenu Nnaife Francis, admitted committing the offences and pleaded guilty to the charges.
Following his guilty plea, the prosecutor, Mr. Ibrahim urged the court to convict and sentence him according to the sections of the NDLEA Acts he was charged with.
The convict, through his lawyer, Uche Okoronkwo after citing legal authorites, pleaded with the court to consider some militating factors, which includes, a first time offender, not wasting the precious time of the court by pleading guilty at the earlier opportunity, in convicting and sentencing his client.
The convict’s lawyer also pleaded with the court to give his client an option of fine in lieu of the jail-term.
Justice Dipeolu, in his judgment after listening to the prosecutor and the allucutor made by the convict’s lawyer, sentenced him to five years in each of the three counts.
The judge however, ordered that the jail terms shall run concurrently. But ordered the convict to pay a fine option of N10 million fine in lieu of the jail-term.
Meanwhile, the convict’s co-conspirator, Ahmadu Abubakar, who is said to be a politician, was granted bail by Justice Dipeolu, after he pleaded not guilty to the charges of conspiracy and trafficking in the same banned substance.
Ahmadu had denied the allegations made against him by the NDLEA when he was arraigned alongside Ughenu Nnaife Francis in a charge marked FHC/L/658c/2024.
Following his plea of not guilty, he was granted bail in the sum of N30 million with two sureties like sum.
One of the sureties must be a Grade level officer in either Lagos State or Federal government establishment, while the second surety must be a landed property owner with the court’s jurisdiction.
Further hearing of the matter has been adjourned till the resume of the court from long vacation.
