A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has sentenced a Ghanaian, Gyan Paul, to 40 years imprisonment for trafficking in hard drugs. Justice Chuka Austine Obiozor sentenced Gyan after he was found guilty of the charges bordering on unlawful exportation of 2. 02 kilograms of a proscribed substance, Methamphetamine brought against him by the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The offenses, according to the prosecutor, Mrs. Juliana Imaobong Iroabobuchi, are contrary to and punishable under Sections 11(d), 11 (b) and 14 (b) of the NDLEA Act, Cap. N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
In convicting the Ghanaian, Justice Obiozor held that the prosecution has successfully proved its case against the defendant beyond every reasonable doubt.
The judge, therefore, sentenced him to jail terms of 15 years in both count one and three, while sentenced him to five years on count two, making the total jail term 35 years.
Justice Obiozor, while ordered that the jail term run concurrently, however, gave the option of N250, 000, 00 on count one and three. He also added that the jail terms should start from yesterday when he was convicted and sentenced.
The judge further ordered that the convicted Ghanaian be deported back to Ghana after serving the jail terms and that his traveling passport be forfeited to the Ghanaian government.
The convicted Ghanaian was arrested with the banned substance concealed in tomato tin, packed in ‘Ghana Must Go’ bags, by the operatives of NDLEA on February 25, 2018, at the departure hall of Murtala Muhammed International Airport.
He was said to have conspired with another Ghanaian named John, residing in Ghana and another man named John, said to be Nigeria resident. He pleaded not guilty to the charges when arraigned sometimes in 2018 and admitted to bail. During the trial, the prosecution called its witnesses and tendered some exhibits, which include the convict’s international passport, the bulk of the banned substance, report of the forensic analysis and others.
guardian.ng
Follow Us
Putting a spotlight on business, inventions, leadership, influencers, women, technology, and lifestyle. We inspire, educate, celebrate success and reward resilience.
