Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced a 76-year-old man, Francis Omofe, to 25 years’ imprisonment for drug-related offences.
Omofe was arrested on June 18, 2024, along Kuje Road in Abuja while transporting a large quantity of cannabis sativa in a Nissan Frontier vehicle bearing a police number plate.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), in charge number FHC/ABJ/CR/286/2024, accused him of possessing and transporting 340.8 kilogrammes of cannabis sativa from Edo to Kaduna State.
According to the agency, the offences contravened provisions of the NDLEA Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Delivering judgment, Justice James Omotosho held that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and consequently convicted the defendant on both counts.
The judge said that despite the plea for leniency, the court was obligated to impose a punishment that would serve as a deterrent.
He noted that transporting a large commercial quantity of illicit drugs using a vehicle with a police number plate was a serious offence.
Justice Omotosho also observed that the drugs were being conveyed to the northern region, particularly Kaduna State, where criminal elements have been linked to substance abuse.
The court sentenced Omofe to 15 years’ imprisonment on count one without the option of a fine and 25 years on count two, also without an option of fine.
However, the judge ordered that the sentences run concurrently from June 18, 2024, the date of arrest, resulting in an effective jail term of 25 years.
