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| The convict, Umeme Fabian Lotachukwu. |
The
Federal High Court sitting in Lagos and presided over by Justice Mojisola Olatoregun
on Monday, convicted and subsequently sentenced a 35-year-old Cote
d’Ivoire-based Nigerian, Grou Bi Clauvis, also known as Umeme Fabian Lotachukwu
to 10 years imprisonment for unlawful dealing in 1.205 kilograms of
methamphetamine, a prohibited drug.
The
court convicted and sentenced Lotachukwu after he pleaded guilty to one count
charge of unlawful dealing in narcotic leveled against him by the National
Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The
convict was arrested by the anti-narcotics agency, on March 27, at the Murtala
Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos State, during outward clearance of
passengers on Qatar Airways flight to Doha, Qatar, with 1.205 kilograms of
methamphetamine, a psychotropic substance.
The
offences, according to the prosecutor, Mr. Abu Ibrahim, were contrary to and
punishable under section 11(b) of the NDLEA Act. Cap. N30, laws of the
federation of Nigeria, 2004.
At
the resumed trial of the matter, on Monday, the convict maintained his guilty
plea.
Consequently,
the presiding judge, Justice Olatoregun, ordered the prosecutor to review the
fact of the matter.
In
reviewing the fact of the case, the prosecutor, told the court how the convict
was arrested with an Ivory Coast international passport with the said substance
and $400 United State Dollars.
The
prosecutor also tendered before the court the results of test analysis on the
drugs, his confessional statements and sample of the drug, all these were
admitted in exhibits.
After
reviewing the fact of the case and admitting the exhibits, the prosecutor urged
the court to convict and sentence him accordingly.
But
the convict’s lawyer, Mr. Prosper Ojakovo, in his alucutor, pleaded with the
court to be lenient in sentencing his client, as he is a first time offender,
and promised not to engage in such act if granted second chance.
In
sentencing the convict, the presiding judge said: “I taken into consideration
that the convict is a first time offender, and also a young man.
“Am
mindful of Section 11 of the NDLEA Act,which is mandatory, but am going to vary
it. It is of the public knowledge that the prison is full, and he is a young
man. “The convict is hereby sentence to 10 years jail term or an option of N10
million” as fine.
Justice
Olatoregun ordered the NDLEA to forfeit the Ivory Coast international passport of
the convict to the government of Ivory Cost and the forfeiture of the sum of
$400 USD, found in his possession to the Federal government of Nigeria, and
that the money should be paid into the federal government account with Central
Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
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