The Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced a
76-year-old man, Francis Omofe, to a lengthy prison term for drug-related
offences involving a large quantity of cannabis.
Omofe was arrested on June 18, 2024, along Kuje Road
in Abuja while transporting over 340 kilograms of cannabis sativa in a Nissan
Frontier vehicle bearing a police number plate.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)
charged him with possession and transportation of illegal narcotics under
relevant provisions of its governing law.
Delivering judgment, Justice James Omotosho ruled that
the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt and convicted the
defendant on both counts.
Although the court considered pleas for leniency, the
judge emphasized the need for a strong deterrent, especially given the scale of
the offence and the method used, including the use of a vehicle with a police
number plate.
Initially, Omofe received a 15-year sentence for
possession and a life sentence for transportation. However, due to his age, the
court reduced the life term to 25 years.
The judge ordered that both sentences run concurrently
from the date of his arrest, effectively meaning the convict will serve 25
years in prison without the option of a fine.
The court also noted concerns about the broader impact
of drug trafficking, linking such activities to rising insecurity in parts of
the country.
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