A Federal High Court Lagos on Monday, convicted and sentenced a convict, Godwin ThankGod, to a term of two years in the correctional service, over export of prohibited narcotics.
The convict was charged by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on a two-count charge bordering on illegal export of 7.10 kg of Codeine and 100g of Rophynol.
He pleaded guilty to the charge.
In view of his plea, the prosecutor, Mr Abu Ibrahim, applied for a review of the facts of the case.
He tendered forms used in analysing the narcotic substance, including the bulk narcotics as well as other supporting documents, as evidence before the court.
He, thereafter, urged the court to proceed and convict the defendant based on the case as presented by the prosecution.
After his review, Justice Ibrahim Kala, asked the defendant if he had any objection to the facts and evidences of the prosecution.
The convict affirmed the review as presented by the prosecution as being true.
The court, consequently, found the defendant guilty of the charge .
Before sentence, defence counsel, Mr Dennis Warri, prayed the court to be lenient on the convict, on the grounds that he is first time offender.
Warri urged the court to issue a non- custodial sentence or preferably, an option of fine.
The court, consequently, sentenced the convict to two years jail term or an option of of N250,000 fine, in addition to 30 days community service for each of the two counts.
The judge ordered that the bulk of the narcotics recovered from the convict be destroyed after 90 days if there is no appeal against the verdict.
According to the charge, the convict was said to have committed the offence on Jan. 11, at the departure gate terminal two of the Murtala Mohammed Airport.
He was arrested during the outward clearance of passengers onboard a Royal Air Maroc flight to Casablanca.
According to the prosecutor, the convict exported 7.10kg of codeine contained in a preparation and 100g of Rophynol without lawful authority.
The NDLEA categorises both substances as restricted narcotics.
The offences ccontravene the provisions of section 20(1)(a) of the NDLEA Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation, 2004.(NAN)
