Woman bags 10 years for illicit drug dealings

AFEDERAL High Court, Lagos , yesterday, sentenced a woman, Saliu Mariam, to 10 years imprisonment for trafficking in 2.5 kilogrammes of cannabis sativa.

Justice Daniel Osiagor convicted and sentenced her following her guilty plea to a count- charge of unlawful export of the prohibited weed, by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA).

The prosecutor, Mr. Abu

Ibrahim told the court that the convict was arrested on March 5, 2022, during the examination of intending cargoes to Dubai, United Arab Emirates at Skyway Handling Company Limited ( SAHCO) export shed and Customs Area/ Pointat the Murtala Muhammed International Airport ( MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos.

Abu said that the convict procured an agent, Audu Muhammed, to commit the act, adding that her offence contravened section 21 ( 1)( e) and punishable under section 11( b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Cap. N 30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

Following her guilty plea and the exhibits tendered, the judge found her guilty as charged.

Her counsel, Chief Benson Ndakara, who pleaded for mercy, asked for an option of fine in the sum of N200, 000.

The court sentenced her to 10 years imprisonment with an option of N200, 000 fine.