Court Jails Businessman 3 Years For Cocaine Trafficking
A businessman, Obiora Joseph Agudosi, has been convicted and sentenced a to three years imprisonment for unlawful transportation and possession of 9 Kilogrames of cocaine, by a Federal High Court, Lagos.
The convicted businessman was given the jail-term, by Justice Akintayo Aluko, following his guilty plea to the charges preferred against him by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in a charge marked FHC/ L/673c/2024.
The Anambra State-born convict, according to the prosecutor, Barrister Abu Ibrahim, was arrested with the drug on August 7, 2024, at Alafia-Orile area of Lagos.
He was previously arraigned before the court sometimes in 2024, on a three counts-charge of conspiracy, unlawful transportation and possession of 9 Kilogrames of cocaine, had denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The offences which were contrary to sections 14(b); 11(b) and 19 of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. And punishable under the same Act.
However, upon decided to change his previous ‘not guilty plea’, and entering a plea bargain agreement, his crimes were reduced to ‘unlawful transportation and possession’ of the prohibited substance.
Based on his new guilty plea, the prosecutor reviewed the facts of the case, tendered exhibits as well urged the court to convict and sentence the businessman.
However, the businessman’s lawyer, in his allucutor, canvassed many reasons and pleaded with the court to be lenient with his client.
Considering the totalities of the submissions made by counsels, Justice Aluko sentenced the businessman to three years imprisonment on each of the court.
The judge however ordered that the jail-term shall run concurrently and from the day the convict was arrested.
Charges against the convicted businessman read: “that you Obiora Joseph Agudosi, Male, Adult on or about the 7th August, 2024 at Alafia-Orile Area of Lagos State without lawful authority transported 9 kilograms of Cocaine, a Narcotic Drug 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 Act Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
“That you Obiora Joseph Agudosi, Male, Adult on or about the 7th August, 2024 at Alafia-Orile Area of Lagos State without lawful authority knowingly possessed 9 kilograms of Cocaine, a Narcotic Drug and you thereby committed an act which is an offence contrary to and punishable under section 19 of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.”
