…….. Forfeited N4M Cash To FG
Justice Abrose Lewis -Alagoa of the Federal High Court, Lagos today convicted and sentenced two young men ObunikeJoseph Obichukwu and Uzorchukwu Godspower Chukwurral to three years imprisonment or a fine of N2 million for attempting to export 2.60 kilograms of Cocaine and 27.90kilograms of Tramadol.
The court also ordered the defendants to forfeit the sum of N4 million seized from them to the Federal Government of Nigeria
Justice Alagoa handed down the sentence following the guilty plea of the two defendants to the six counts charge of unlawful exportation of the banned substances.
When the matter came up for trial today, Mr Abu Ibrahim the prosecutor from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, informed the court of the pendency of a six count charge and pleaded with the court to order that the charge be read so that the defendants can take their plea.
The charge was then read and the defendants pleaded guilty to same.
Following the defendants’ guilty plea, the facts of the case was consequently reviewed with the prosecutor, Abu Ibrahim tendering relevant exhibits after which he urged the court to convict the defendants.
Justice Alagoa after listening to Abu’s submission and perusing relevant exhibits convicted the defendants as charge.
Counsel to the defendants Mr Dennis Warri from the Chambers of Chief Benson Ndakara in his allocutus pleaded for mercy on behalf of the defendants.
Warri submitted that the defendants are first time offenders who did not waste the time of the court.
He urged the court to consider the timely plea of defendant as a sign of remorse , adding that the defendants have also suffered tremendous loss with the N4million seized from them which is going to be forfeited to the Federal Government.
The defence counsel urged the court to consider a non custodian sentence by imposing an option of fine.
Justice Alagoa after listening to parties, sentence the defendants to three years imprisonment or a fine of N2 million.
The judge further ordered that the N4m cash seized from the defendants should be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The charge against the defendants reads:
Count 1
That you Obunike Joseph Obichukwu and Uzorchukwu Godspower Chukwura
both Male, Adults, on or about the 19th day of July 2025 conspired with one Onyebuchi Friday (now at large) to export 2.60kilograms of Cocaine, a Narcotic Drug, and you thereby committed an act which is an offence contrary to section 14 (b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Count ll
That you Obunike Joseph Obichukwu, Uzorchukwu Godspower Chukwura both Male, Adults, on or about the 19th day of July 2025 conspired with one Onyebuchi Friday (now at large) to export 27.90kilograms of Tramadol, a Narcotic Analgesic similar to cocaine, LSD and Heroin and you thereby committed an act which is a offence contrary to section 14 (b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Count lll
That you Obunike Joseph Obichukwu, Uzorchukwu Godspower Chukwurah both Male, Adults, on or about the 19th day of July 2025 at the Departure Hall of Terminal the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja – Lagos procured one Ihekweme Osinachi Benedict to export 2.60kilograms of Cocaine, a Narcotic Drug, and you thereby committed an act which is an offence contrary to section 21 (2) (d) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and punishable under section 11(b) of the said Act.
Count IV
That you Obunike Joseph Obichukwu , Uzorchukwu Godspower Chukwurah both Male, Adults, on or about the 19th day of july 2025 at the Departure Hall of Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos procured one lhekweme Osinachi Benedict to export 27.90kilograms of Tramadol, a Narcotic Analgesic, similar to cocaine, LSD and Heroin, and you thereby committed an act which is an offence contrary to section 21 (2) (d) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and punishable under section 11(b) of the said Act.
Count V
That you Obunike Joseph Obichukwu, Uzorchukwu Godspower Chukwurah both Male, Adults, on or about the 19th day of July 2025 at the Departure Hall of Terminal 2 the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja , Lagos without lawful authority exported 2.60kilograms of Cocaine, a Narcotic Drug, and you thereby committed an act which is an offence contrary to and punishable under section (b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Count VI
That you Obunike Joseph Obichukwu, Uzorchukwu Godspower Chukwurah both Male, Adults, on or about the 19th day of July 2025 at the Departure Hall of Termina the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja , Lagos without lawful authority exported 27.90kilograms of Tramadol, a Narcotic Analgesic, similar cocaine, LSD and Heroin, and you thereby committed an act which is an offence contrary to and punishable under section 11 (b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Cap N30, Laws of the Federation of N’geria, 2004.
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