Justice Ibrahim Kala of the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court sentenced a man, Olorunfunmi Olakunle, to two years’ imprisonment for drug trafficking on Friday.
The court convicted and sentenced him for importing 1.8 kg of hemp from America after he pleaded guilty to a two-count charge preferred against him by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The court also gave him the option of a N200,000 fine with community service.
After his guilty plea, the prosecutor, Augustine Nwagu, applied for a review of the facts of the case.
The prosecutor told the court how the defendant was arrested at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport on January 4 during cargo clearance on EgyptAir from the United States of America.
The prosecutor tendered several exhibits, which were admitted and marked by the court.
After reviewing the facts, the court asked the defendant if he had any objections to the facts presented by the prosecution.
The defendant said he had no objection.
The prosecutor, consequently, urged the court to convict and sentence him as charged in accordance with the NDLEA Act.
After going through the facts and evidence of the prosecution, the court found him guilty and convicted him accordingly.
Meanwhile, before the sentence, the defence had urged the court to show mercy on the convict for being a first-time offender, adding that he had learnt his lessons.
In his verdict, Mr Kala imposed the sentence, adding that in addition to the payment of a fine, the convict would do community service for 30 days.
The court ordered that the substance recovered from him be destroyed.
The offence contravenes sections 11(a) and 14 (b) of the NDLEA Act, Cap. 30 Law of Federation 2004.
