A Federal High Court sitting in Enugu, has sentenced two
drug traffickers to fifty-five years in jail.
One of the convicts, Deborah Okafor, a 30-year-old
professional dancer, was charged with conspiracy, trafficking and unlawful
possession of 3.450kg of amphetamine, while the other, Iheme Onyemauchechukwu,
was charged with trafficking and unlawful importation of 9.975kg of heroin. They were both arrested at the Enugu airport.
professional dancer, was charged with conspiracy, trafficking and unlawful
possession of 3.450kg of amphetamine, while the other, Iheme Onyemauchechukwu,
was charged with trafficking and unlawful importation of 9.975kg of heroin. They were both arrested at the Enugu airport.
A statement by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency said
Okafor would have been paid the sum of $3,500 if she successfully made her trip
to Malaysia.
Okafor would have been paid the sum of $3,500 if she successfully made her trip
to Malaysia.
She was convicted and sentenced by Justice D. V. Agishi to
10 years each in counts one and two and 20 years in count three making her
sentence 40 years altogether.
10 years each in counts one and two and 20 years in count three making her
sentence 40 years altogether.
The second convict, Onyemauchechukwu, 27, was charged with
trafficking and unlawful importation of 9.975kg of heroin. He was convicted as
charged and sentenced to 10 years in count one with a fine of N1m and five
years in count two with a fine of N500,000,000.
trafficking and unlawful importation of 9.975kg of heroin. He was convicted as
charged and sentenced to 10 years in count one with a fine of N1m and five
years in count two with a fine of N500,000,000.
Okafor reportedly hid 3.450kg of amphetamine inside the
pockets of jean trousers in her luggage.
pockets of jean trousers in her luggage.
She told the court that she was broke and needed money. “I
had been approached on many occasions to smuggle drugs but I declined. I
thought that I could earn some quick money in few days,” she stated.
had been approached on many occasions to smuggle drugs but I declined. I
thought that I could earn some quick money in few days,” she stated.
Onyemauchechukwu said he was recruited in Tanzania by a
suspected drug cartel in East Africa. He told investigators that he smuggled
drugs because he was stranded.
suspected drug cartel in East Africa. He told investigators that he smuggled
drugs because he was stranded.
“I used to sell phone accessories before I left the country.
I wanted to go to Malaysia in search of job opportunities but I was stranded in
Tanzania. Then I met a Nigerian who gave me money and promised to assist me get
back to Nigeria. He offered to give me some money to start up my business. He
later took me to Bujumbura in Burundi where I was given 9.975kg of heroin
hidden inside cosmetics,” he stated.
I wanted to go to Malaysia in search of job opportunities but I was stranded in
Tanzania. Then I met a Nigerian who gave me money and promised to assist me get
back to Nigeria. He offered to give me some money to start up my business. He
later took me to Bujumbura in Burundi where I was given 9.975kg of heroin
hidden inside cosmetics,” he stated.
NDLEA Chairman,Ahmadu Giade, expressed satisfaction with the
judgment.
judgment.
He said, “While this punishment is expected to correct the
convicts, it will equally help to deter others from getting involved in drug
trafficking. The agency commits huge resources in drug investigation, arrests
and prosecution. Judgment like this will further lend credence to the nation’s
anti-drug campaign.”
convicts, it will equally help to deter others from getting involved in drug
trafficking. The agency commits huge resources in drug investigation, arrests
and prosecution. Judgment like this will further lend credence to the nation’s
anti-drug campaign.”
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