A Federal High Court, Lagos, presided over by Justice Musa Kakaki, has convicted a Lagos Socialite, Fayisara Ajoke Opaleye popularly called Iya Ruka and Iya Elediye, for trafficking in 1,540 Kilograms of Cannabis Sativa, popularly called marijuana.
Iya Ruka 61, as she is being called in the social circle was convicted on the same crime alongside her 41 years old driver, Abideen Adio.
Justice Kakaki convicted the two following their guilty plea to the amended charge of one count each made against them by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The two convicts were previously arraigned sometimes in May this year, on a three-count charge of conspiracy, trafficking and unlawful possession and transportation of the prohibited substance.
When they were previously arraigned on the former charges, the socialite, Iya Ruka, and her co-convict denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty to the charges.
They were subsequently admitted to bail in various terms and conditions.
However, at the resumed hearing of the matter today, and sequel to the amended charge, both convicts pleaded guilty to trafficking and transportation of the prohibited substance.
Specifically, the socialite was slammed with the offence of trafficking in the substance while her driver was charged for transporting same.
The offences according to the prosecutor, Barrister Buhari Abdullahi, contravened sections 11(c) and 11(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
Based on their plea, the prosecutor reviewed the facts of the charge, tendered exhibits and urged the court to convict them.
The prosecutor also urged the court to forfeit the vehicle, an Isuzu Truck with Registration No. LSD 127 YK, Chassis No. JAANPR71HE7101834, to the federal government of Nigeria, being the instrumentality used in committing the crime.
However, lawyer to the convicts, Chief Benson Ndakara who led Kate Igbo, in his passionate allocutor plea, begged the court to be merciful with his clients.
He urged the court to consider their early guilty plea as a sign of remorseful.
He also urged the court to consider the health status of the socialite, while saying that the second convict, has been in custody since his arrest.
He therefore urged the court to consider a non-custodian sentence, especially, a fine option.
Justice Kakaki in his judgment, after listening to the submission of the lawyer and confirmed from the prosecutor that the convicts are first time offenders, ordered the socialite, Iya Ruka to pay N20 million, while ordered her driver to pay N10 million as fine options.
The amended charge against the convicts read: “that you Fayisara Ajoke Opaleye, Female, 61 years old on or about the 31sy December, 2024 at No. 33 Adebayo Oyebayo Street along Ago Palace Road, Okota, Lagos State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court without lawful authority dealt in 1,540 Kilograms of Cannabis Sativa, narcotic drug similar to cocaine, heroin and LSD 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 Abideen Adio, Male, 41 years old on or about the 31 December, 2024, at No. 33 Adebayo Oyebayo Street along Ago Palace Road, Okota, Lagos State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court without lawful authority transported 1,540 Kilograms of Cannabis Sativa, narcotic drug similar to cocaine, heroin and LSD by using Isuzu Truck with Registration No. LSD 127 YK, Chassis No. JAANPR71HE7101834 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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