A Scooter Rider, Ogunfowora Taofik Ajibola, has been convicted and sentenced to three years imprisonment by the court presided over by Justice Ibrahim Kala of a Lagos Federal High Court, for trafficking in 432 grams of a prohibited substance named Methamphetamine.
Justice Kala convicted and sentenced the scooter rider, after he pleaded guilty to the charges of conspiracy, unlawful dealing, possession and trafficking of the banned substance made against him by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The scooter rider, Ajibola according to the NDLEA prosecutor, Barrister A. G. Yuanyam, had on May 13, 2024, conspired with the trio of Shakiru Quadri Olabisi and Balogun Gabriel, said to be at large, to commit the illegal acts.
Barrister Yuanyam told the court that the convict used his scooter, a Yamaha Cygnus Scooter with registration number APP 345 QF, to dealt and carried out the illicit business within Lagos Island part of Lagos State.
The prosecutor told the court that the offences committed by the scooter rider, were contrary to Section 14; 11(d) and 11(c) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 (as amended). And punishable under the same Act.
The scooter rider, admitted committing the illicit acts, when the charges were read to him, and pleaded guilty to the offences.
Based on his guilty plea, the prosecutor reviewed the facts of the charge and tendered all exhibits in the matter.
Upon reviewed of the facts of the charge and tendering of exhibits, the prosecutor urged the court to convict him and as well, sentenced him according to the offences he was charged with.
But the convict through his lawyer, Chief Lilian Omotunde, pleaded with the court to tamper justice with mercy in sentencing him, as he has learned his lesson and becomes remorseful of his acts.
He also promised not to engage in any illicit business or Act.
Based on the convict’s plea for mercy, and the judge after confirming from the prosecutor that the convict is a first time offender, who did not have any previous record of conviction, sentenced him to three years imprisonment.
The judge however, ordered him to pay the sum of N500, 000, as a fine option in lieu of the jail-term.
In addition to the fine option, Justice Kala ordered the convict to perform three months community service, as well as, forfeiting his Yamaha Cygnus Scooter with registration number APP 345 QF, to the Federal government of Nigeria.
