A Federal High Court, Lagos, has convicted and sentenced an Italy bound passenger, Edobor Ambrose Ali, for unlawful exportation of 7.6 kilograms of tramadol, a proscribed analgesic.
The Edo state-born traveler was arrested by the operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on June 13, 2025, at the Murtala Muhammad International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, while attempting to smuggle the prohibited drug.
He was arraigned before the court presided over by Justice Deinde Dipeolu on two count charge of unlawful authority to export the drugs.
The prosecutor, Barrister Abu Ibrahim, a Commander of Narcotics, informed the court that the defendant hid the drug, which were of 220 and 225mg in an Orange coloured jacket.
The prosecutor told the court that the action of the traveler, contravened section 11(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, CAP N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. And punishable under the same Act.
Upon the reading of the charge, the defendant pleaded guilty to the charge.
Based on his plea of guilt, the prosecutor reviewed the facts of the case, as well tendered exhibits in the charge. And urged the court to convict and sentence the defendant, based on his plea, exhibits tendered and in accordance with Section 274(2) of Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015.
However, defendant’s lawyer, Dennis Warri, in his allucutor, pleaded with the court to tamper justice with mercy in sentencing his client.
Warri told the court that the earlier guilty plea of his client, is a sign of remorse and that the court should also considered the non-wasting the precious time of the court, in granting his request.
He prayed the court to grant his client a non-custodian sentence or a fine option in lieu of the jail term.
In his judgment, Justice Dipeolu after confirming from the prosecutor that the convict did not have any previous conviction records, sentenced him to two years on each count, which are to run concurrently.
The judge however ordered that the convict to pay a fine option of N2 million. While also ordered that the convict’s international passport numbered A12562143, be forfeited to the federal government, and be sent to the Immigration Services, for cancellation.
Charges against the convict reads: “That you, Edobor Ambrose Ali, male, Adult, with Nigerian International Passport Number A12562143, on or about the 13th day of June, 2025 during the examination of luggage passing through the scanning machine at TARMAC on Air France at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, without lawful authority, Exported 6.50 kilogrammes of Tramadol (225mg), a psychotropic substance concealed in an Orange coloured jacket from Nigeria to Italy via Paris 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.
“That you, Edobor Ambrose Ali, male, adult, with Nigerian International Passport Number A12562143, on or about the 13th day of June, 2025 during the examination of luggage passing through the scanning machine at TARMAC on Air France at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, without lawful authority, Exported 1.10 kilogrammes of Tramadol (200mg), a psychotropic substance concealed in a Red coloured jacket from Nigeria to Italy via Paris and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 11(b) of the National Drug taw Enforcement Agency Act, CAP N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.”
