A 32-year-old man, Cyril Ewelike, has been sentenced to a two-year jail term by a Federal High Court in Lagos for his involvement in hemp trafficking. Justice Ibrahim Kala convicted Ewelike on two counts of conspiracy and unlawful export of 3.4kg of cannabis to Dubai, following charges filed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Despite pleading guilty to the charges when arraigned on February 1, 2024, the court adjourned the case to allow the prosecution to review the facts. Subsequently, nine exhibits were tendered by the prosecutor, Mrs. Juliana Iroabuchi, which the court admitted as evidence.
During the trial, the defendant affirmed his agreement with the facts presented by the prosecution, leading to his conviction as charged by Justice Kala. Defense counsel, Mrs. Kate Igbo, pleaded for leniency, citing Ewelike's status as a first-time offender with no prior criminal record, and requested an option of fine.
However, the prosecutor highlighted aggravating factors, including Ewelike's initial denial of guilt and the falsification of documents for bail, which she argued warranted a custodial sentence. She invoked Section 311 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), emphasizing the importance of deterrence in sentencing.
In his judgment, Justice Kala sentenced Ewelike to two years' imprisonment with a fine option of N200,000. The court further ordered the destruction of the drug exhibit by the NDLEA within
60 days, unless appealed. The defendant's offense, committed on December 5, 2022, involved the unlawful exportation of cannabis during cargo examination at the Shaco export shed of the Murtala Mohammed Airport.
The prosecution noted Ewelike's collusion with an accomplice, Uche Onowu, a Nigerian residing in Dubai who remains at large. The offense contravened Section 11(b) and 14(b) of the NDLEA Act 2004.
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