A Federal High Court in Abuja, on Monday, sentenced Michael Nwobodo, 31, to 12 years imprisonment with hard labour for trafficking in cocaine.
The convict pleaded guilty to unlawful importation of cocaine, an offence punishable under the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act.
According to a statement by NDLEA’s Head, Public Affairs, Ofoyeju Mitchell, Justice Okon Abang, while delivering his judgment, observed that the illicit drug trade was not abating, adding that measures must be taken to stop the criminal act.
Commenting on the ruling, NDLEA Chairman, Col. Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah (retd.) said that the agency will continue to collaborate with relevant stakeholders in the fight against illicit drugs in the country.
Abdallah was quoted to have said that the sentence will serve both as a deterrent and a corrective measure to the convict and others who are involved in narcotic production, trafficking and abuse.
He declared that the agency will not relent in partnering with stakeholders in apprehending and prosecuting drug traffickers.”
Nwobodo was arrested on February 29, 2016 with 81 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.350kg on his way from Dubai.
He had attempted to escape by breaking through a glass wall at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. He was later re-arrested.
The 81 wraps of cocaine were concealed in Parker Whisky packs along with boxes of chocolates inside a duty free bag.
In recent times, more passengers arriving from Dubai had been found with cocaine at both the Lagos and Abuja airports.
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