Court Jails Transborder Drug Trafficker 24 Years 

Court Jails Transborder Drug Trafficker 24 Years

A transborder drug trafficker, Elijah Ishola Adejumo, has been convicted and sentenced to a total of 24 years imprisonment, for trafficking in 3.3 kilograms of Cocaine and 60 grams of cannabis Sativa, popularly called marijuana.

The convict was given the jail-term, following his guilty plea to a six count-charge of conspiracy, unlawful possession and transporting the prohibited substances, made against him by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

The prosecutor, Barrister G. N Aondover, had informed the court that the convicted transborder drug trafficker, was arrested with the prohibited drugs on November 5, 2024, at the Lagos of Seme border, while attempting to snuggle the drug into Nigeria.

The prosecutor told the court that the convict had used a Red Coloured Toyota Sienna with Republic of Benin registration number, RBC 426 CP, to transport the drug.

He informed the court that the convict conspired with one Olawale (now at large) to commit the illicit acts.

He told the court that the illegal actions or the convict, contravened sections 14(b), 19 and 11(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act CAP N30 Laws of the federation of Nigeria 2004 (as amended).

The convict admitted committing the offences when the charge was read to him.

Following his admission to the offences, couple with the exhibits tendered, which were admitted by the court, the prosecutor urged the court to convict and sentence him in accordance with the sections of the NDLEA’s Acts.

The prosecutor also urged the court to forfeit to the federal government of Nigeria, the sum of $14, 400, N100, 000.00, the vehicle used in conveying the drugs, and set of  chains, being products of illicit activities.

However, lawyer to the convict, pin his allucutor pleaded with the court, to tamper justice with mercy in sentencing his client.

The lawyer, after citing series of legal authorites, urged the court to award a non-custodian sentence or a fine option, in lieu of the jail-term.

Delivering judgment on the charge, Justice Akintayo Aluko, sentenced the convict to five years in count one; three years in count two, five years in count three; three years in count four, five years in count five; three years in count six.

The judge however ordered that the jail-term shall run concurrently. While adding that the period spent in the custody before arraignment should be deducted from the jail-term.

Justice Aluko also ordered final forfeiture of a red coloured Toyota Sienna with registration number, RBC 426 CP being the instrument used in transporting the drug.

The judge also ordered final forfeiture of the the sum of $10, 400 USD, N100, 000.00, the vehicle used in conveying the drugs, and set of  chains, being products of illicit activities. Adding that the bulk of the drug be destroyed after the period of appeal has lapsed.

Part of charges against the convict reads: “That you Elijah Ishola Adejumo, Adult, Male, Nigerian citizen and one, Olawale now at large, on or about the 5th day of November,2024 at Lagos Axis of SEME Border within the jurisdiction of this honorable court without lawful authority, conspired to possessed 3.3 kilograms of cocaine, inside one Red Coloured Toyota Sienna with registration number RBC 426 CP, a controlled substances similar to heroin and LSD and thereby committed an offence as provided for and punishable under section 14(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act CAP N30 Laws of the federation of Nigeria 2004 (as amended).