The convicted Lebanon Returnee, Chijioke Nnanna Igbokwe
Three drug traffickers, Ezechi lyke Cyprian, Chijioke Nnanna Igbokwe and Okeke Ebuka Igwe, were on Tuesday, convicted and sentenced to a total of 17 years imprisonment for trafficking in 7.3.. Kilogrames of cocaine, by the Federal High Court in Lagos.
While the dou of Chijioke Nnanna Igbokwe, a Lebanon returnee and Ezechi lyke Cyprian, a driver and father of four were convicted and sentenced to eight years imprisonment, by Justice Amrbrose Lewis-Allagoa, for trafficking in 6.243 Kilogrames of the banned drug. Okeke Ebuka Igwe, a spare parts dealer at Auto Parts and Machinery Dealers Association (ASPAMDA) Trade Fair International Complex premises, along Badagry Expressway, Lagos, was convicted and sentenced to seven years imprisonment for trafficking in 1.10 kilograms of Cocaine, by Justice Daniel Osiagor.
Arraigning the convicts before the court, the prosecutor, Barrister Abu Ibrahim told the court that the three convicted men committed the offences between January 26 and February 23, 2025.
Specifically, Barr. Abu told the court that the Lebanon returnee, Chijioke Nnanna Igbokwe, was arrested with the banned drug on January 26, 2025, during the inward clearance of passengers aboard Ethiopian Airlines flight from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia at the E-Arrival Hall of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport lkeja, Lagos.
He told the court that the second convict, Ezechi lyke Cyprian was arrested, on February 23, 2025 along Gbagada-Oshodi Road, Lagos State without lawful authority conveying 4.3 kilograms of Cocaine, which he concealed in a Toyota Sienna Bus (White) with Registration Number LSR 117 GR.
While he told the court presided by Justice Osiagor that the spare parts dealer, Okeke Ebuka Igwe, was arrested with the drug, which he concealed in auto spare parts, on February 21, 2025 inside the ASPAMDA market.
He told the court that Igwe conspired with one Nweze Okechukwu of All Best Cargo, to export 1.10 kilograms of the prohibited drug.
The convicted men admitted committed the offences and pleaded guilty to the charges against them.
Upon their guilty plea, their lawyers, Chief Benson Ndakara, Anthony Nnamoko and Dennis Warri, in their various allucutor, pleaded with the court to awarded non-custodian sentence for their clients, on the ground that they are first time offenders who did not have records of previous conviction.
The judges in their verdicts, sentenced all the convicts to a total of 15 years imprisonment.
Specifically, Justice Lewis-Allagoa sentenced the Lebanon returnee, Chijioke Nnanna Igbokwe, to five years imprisonment, but ordered to pay a fine option of N10 million in lieu of imprisonment.
He was also ordered to forfeit the sum of 2,500 Lebanese Pounds found on him during his arrest.
The judge sentenced the driver to three years imprisonment but ordered to pay the sum of N5 million as option of fine.
While Justice Osiagor sentenced the driver to seven years imprisonment but ordered to pay the sum of N4 million as fine option in lieu of jail-term.
Charges against the convicted men read: “That you Chijioke Nnanna Igbokwe, Male, Adult on or about the 26th January 2025 during the inward clearance of passengers aboard Ethiopian Airlines flight from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia at the E-Arrival Hall of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport lkeja-Lagos without lawful authority imported 1.943 kilograms Cocaine, a Narcotic Drug, and you thereby committed an act which is an offence contrary to and punishable under section 11(a) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
“That you Ezechi lyke Cyprian male, adult, on or about the 23rd February 2025 along Gbagada-Oshodi Road, Lagos State without lawful authority transported 4.3 kilograms of Cocaine, a Narcotic Drug using a Toyota Sienna Bus (White) with Registration Number LSR 117 GR and you thereby committed an act which is an offence contrary to section 20(1)(a) and punishable under section 20(2)(a) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap, N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
“That you Ezechi lyke Cyprian, male, adult, on or about the 23rd February 2025 along Gbagada-Oshodi Road, Lagos State without lawful authority possessed 4.3 kilogram of Cocaine, a Narcotic Drug and you thereby committed an act which is an offenc contrary to section 20(1)(c) and punishable under section 20(2)(b) of the National Drt Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap, N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
“That you Okeke Ebuka Igwe Male, Adult on or about the 21st February 2025 at Auto Parts and Machinery Dealers Association (ASPAMDA) Trade Fair International Complex premises, along Badagry Expressway, Lagos procured one Nweze Okechukwu of ALL BEST CARGO to export 1.10 kilograms of Cocaine a Narcotic Drug, concealed in Auto Parts, and you thereby committed an act which is an offence contrary to section 21 (2) (d) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and punishable under sect on 11(b) of the said Act.”
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