Court sentences two notorious cocaine pushers to life imprisonment
The Federal Court Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has sentenced two notorious drug kingpins – Uwaezuoke Ikenna Christian and Agbo Chidike Prince to life imprisonment following diligent prosecution by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Penpushing reports that Justice Joyce Obehi Abdulmalik handed over the sentence to the duo having pleaded guilty and will now spend the rest of their lives in jail, bringing an end to their years of criminal enterprise of exporting cocaine across continents.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in a statement by Director, Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi said the journey to life jail for Uwaezuoke, a 43-year-old businessman started when he was first arrested by operatives on March 19, 2022 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja during the inward clearance of Ethiopian Airlines flight from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia after he was found to have ingested 100 big wraps of cocaine weighing 2.243 kilograms.
Penpushing further reports that the statement added that he was subsequently arraigned at the Federal High Court, Abuja Division in charge number FHC/ABJ/CR/438/2022 and was granted bail on certain conditions after he pleaded not guilty, but thereafter absconded, leading the court to revoke his bail and issue an arrest warrant against him.
The agency spokesperson added in a curious twist, Uwaezuoke was again arrested by operatives on August 1,2023, at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja Lagos while attempting to export 1.822 kilograms of cocaine to India through ingestion using a different passport and under a different name, Ilonzeh Kingsley Onyebuchi.
Penpushing also reports that Uwaezuoke was again arraigned before Justice Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High Court, Lagos Division in charge number FHC/L/554C/2023, and pleaded guilty to the two counts charge.
The statement disclosed that he was convicted and sentenced on October 18, 2023 to a total term of seven years of imprisonment or a fine of ₦1, 500,000.00, adding that he paid the fine and was transferred to Abuja to face the importation case pending against him.
Penpushing reports that he was re-arraigned on March 20, 2024 at the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court in charge number FHC/ABJ/CR/438/2022 before Justice Joyce Obehi Abdulmalik, where he pleaded guilty again.
The court, however, noted his lack of remorse despite his plea, the court, and considering the seriousness of drug-related offences and the fact that he is a repeated offender, and was sentenced to life imprisonment.
Penpushing further reports that in the case of the second convict, Agbo Chidike Prince, the agency said he was arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja during the outward clearance of Ethiopian Airlines flight to Hong Kong on 21 October 2023 for ingesting 49 wraps of cocaine weighing 998.73grams
The statement explained that upon arraignment of the of 42-year-old accused before Justice Joyce Obehi Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, he pleaded guilty to the one count charge, prompting the prosecution to present evidence and review the facts of the case.
Penpushing also reports that the court, noting the nature of the case and the commercial quantity of the drug, emphasized the seriousness of drug-related offences and sentenced the him on April 15, 2024 to life imprisonment.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in a related development said its officers at the Gate C departure hall of the Lagos airport on Friday April 26, 2024 arrested a passenger, Yahaya Danjuma Oturah, while attempting to export 4,000 pills of tramadol 225mg to Malpensa, Italy on an Ethiopian Airline flight.
Penpushing reports that the agency said psychoactive substance was found concealed in women wears and granulated melon packed in the suspect’s backpack and another bag containing food items, adding that in the suspect statement who is a frequent flyer confessed he was hired to courier the drug for 700 Euros on successful delivery of the consignment in Italy.
The operatives in the same vein in Bayelsa, on Wednesday 24 April 24, 2024 arrested 28-year-old Jennifer Iliya at Amarata area of Yenagoa for producing and distributing cakes laced with illicit drugs especially cannabis sativa.
Penpushing further reports that the statement stated that at the time of her arrest, substantial number of the drugged cakes weighing 1.5kg were recovered from her, adding that a 20-year-old hair stylist, Josephine Odunu and a dispatch rider, Edesemi Ikporo, 30, had been arrested on Sunday March 10, 2024 by the operatives for similar offence in Yenagoa.
The agency explained that two suspects: Joseph Dadi (47) and Bensha Yari (32), were arrested with 24,180 ampoules of pentazocine injection weighing 135.5 kilograms at Sabon Tasha, Kaduna, while Adamu Umar (18) was nabbed with 20.700kg cannabis when his house in Shuware area of Mubi, Adamawa State was raided on Friday 26 April 2024
Penpushing also reports the statement disclosed that no less than 310.7kg cannabis was recovered on Thursday April 25, 2024 when the operatives’ raided parts of Mushin in Lagos state, adding that 300kg was seized at Olatunji Street, Mushin, 10.7kg of same substance which was retrieved from two suspects: Tijani Wasiu and Suleiman Aisha at Anifowose, Mushin.
The statement said while Stanley Chukwudi (43), was arrested with 5,900 ampoules of pentazocine injection at Sabon Gari area of Kano State on Thursday April 25, 2024, a couple, Fredrick Odion (53), and Gladys Odion (52) were nabbed with 50kg cannabis at Iruekpen, Esan West local government area of Edo state on Wednesday April 24, 2024.
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