Lagos Court Sentences Cocaine Trafficker to Four Years in Prison

The Federal High Court in Lagos State has convicted Francis Akajiobi, a Nigerian heading to Spain, to four years in prison for trafficking 1.20 kilograms of cocaine.

Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa issued the sentence on Thursday, October 3, 2024, after Akajiobi pleaded guilty to the one-count charge filed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) following his earlier arraignment.

NDLEA prosecutor Mr. Abu Ibrahim informed the court that Akajiobi was arrested at the Departure Hall of the new terminal at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja, Lagos.

He stated that the arrest occurred on July 25, 2024, as Akajiobi was attempting to board a Royal Air Maroc flight to Valencia, Spain, during passenger clearance.

“He concealed the cocaine inside some footwear,” Ibrahim told the court.

According to Ibrahim, the offense violated Section 11(b) of the NDLEA Act, Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, which imposes penalties for drug trafficking.

Following Akajiobi’s plea, the judge instructed the prosecutor to present the case facts.

After outlining the details and submitting exhibits, Ibrahim urged the court to convict and sentence Akajiobi.

“The evidence clearly supports the guilty plea, and we request that the court convict him accordingly,” Ibrahim said.

However, the defense counsel, Benson Ndakara, in his allocutus, requested the court to show leniency.

“My Lord, this is a first-time offender who has saved the court’s time by not opting for a full trial. We plead for mercy in sentencing,” Ndakara said.

After confirming with the prosecutor that Akajiobi had no prior criminal record, Justice Lewis-Allagoa ruled that he could pay a fine of N2 million instead of serving the four-year prison sentence.