Drug trafficking: Court convicts doctor in absentia

A Federal High Court in Lagos has medical doctor, Dr. Dennis Konyeaso, found guilty for trafficking in drug.

Justice Mohammed Idris, however, discharged and acquitted Konyeaso’s wife, Chidi, co-charged on same offences by the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

The couple was charged before the court on a four count-charge of conspiracy, aiding and abetting, unlawful dealing and storing of 3.3 kilogrammes of cocaine.

At the resumed trial on Friday, which was slated for judgment, the convict, who is on bail, was absent in court while his wife was present.

His absence notwithstanding, Justice Idris convicted him but acquitted his wife of all the counts charge.

Justice Idris, however, adjourned convicted a after he was the sentence pending when he would be apprehended by security agents.

The NDLEA in the charge had alleged that the couple had sometime in July, 2007, conspired with and aided one Victor Keyamo, an ex-convict, to export 3.3 kilograms of cocaine.

The husband and wife were also alleged to have on July 9, 2007, at their residence, Plot 729 Atere, Omole Estate, Ikeja, Lagos, without lawful authority, possessed and stored 33 grams of cocaine.

The convict’s wife, a mother of three, had told the court in the course of the trial how her husband abandoned her and the kids for several years, after he learnt that the NDLEA invaded their house in search of the banned substance.

The businesswoman in her evidence before the court stated that she never knew that her husband was into drug trafficking, until the NDLEA operatives came and searched their residence and found parcels of substance which was cocaine belonging to him.