* Pix source : Independent Newspapers Nigeria
By Gbenga Ogunbufunmi
Justice Cecilia Mojisola Olatoregun of the Federal High Court, Lagos today, convicted a drug dealer, Mba C. Ebere, for exporting 280 grammes of methamphetamine, a banned hard drug, to Malaysia.
Justice Olatoregun convicted the drug dealer after finding him guilty on one count charge preferred against him by the National Drug Laws Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The convict’s trial commenced before the court sometimes in October, 2012.
During the trial, the NDLEA through its lawyer, Mrs. Obiageri Iwuchukwu, called six witnesses who include: the arresting officer, Investigating Officer, official of United Parcel Services (UPS), a courier company used in exporting the drug, exhibit keeper and others, who told the court in their various evidence on how the convict was arrested.
Obiageri also tendered some exhibits which include sample of the drug, test analysis form, the Courier company’s Airway Bill.
Delivering judgement on the charge today, justice Olatoregun said the prosecution has been able to discharge the burden of proof of the charge against the convict.
Olatoregun also stated that the with all the evidence given by the prosecution witness, she is satisfied that the prosecution has been able to proof the charge against against the accused beyond every reasonable doubt.
Consequently, Justice Olatoregun pronounced the drug dealer as guilty as charged.
The judge however reserve the sentencing of the convict till February 21.
The convict who was 47 years old when he was arrested, according to NDLEA in charge number: FHC/L/349c/12, was arrested on July 3, 2012, at the Gbagada office of United Parcel Services (UPS), when he wanted to export the drug to Malaysia.
Upon his arrest, he was charged to court on one count charge of unlawful exportation of 280 grams of Methamphetamine.
He had pleaded not guilty to the charge and admitted to bail by the court.
The charge against the convict reads: “that you Mba C. Ebere, Male, 47 years old on or about the 3rd day of July, 2012, at the Courier Company the United Parcel Service (UPS), Gbagada, Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court without lawful authority Exported 280 grammes of Methamphetamine, a drug similar to Cocaine, Heroin and LSD to Malaysia with Airway Bill No. 1273257A0477356775 and Shipment ID. 73257APY8F4 and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable
under Section 11 (b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N 30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004”.
