Justice Akintayo Aluko of the Federal High Court in Lagos on Tuesday sentenced a trans-border drug trafficker, Elijah Adejumo, to a total of 24 years in prison for smuggling 3.3 kilograms of cocaine and 60 grams of cannabis sativa into Nigeria.
Adejumo was arraigned by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on a six-count charge bordering on conspiracy, unlawful possession, and transportation of prohibited substances.
During the trial, NDLEA’s prosecuting counsel, Nyam Aondover, told the court that Adejumo was apprehended on November 5, 2024, at the Lagos axis of the Seme Border in Badagry while attempting to smuggle the drugs into Nigeria. He was reportedly using a red-coloured Toyota Sienna with Republic of Benin registration number RBC 426 CP to convey the illicit substances.
The prosecutor further alleged that Adejumo conspired with an accomplice identified as Olawale, who is currently at large, to traffic the drugs. The offences, according to Aondover, contravene Sections 14(b), 19, and 11(b) of the NDLEA Act, CAP N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 (as amended).
Although Adejumo pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to him, the court admitted several exhibits tendered by the prosecution. Based on the evidence presented, the prosecutor urged the court to convict and sentence the defendant in line with the provisions of the NDLEA Act.
The prosecution also sought the forfeiture of $10,400, ₦100,000, the vehicle used in the smuggling operation, and a set of chains believed to be proceeds of the illegal drug trade.
In response, the defence counsel pleaded for leniency, asking the court to consider a non-custodial sentence or an option of fine.
Delivering judgment, Justice Aluko sentenced Adejumo to five years imprisonment on count one, three years on count two, five years on count three, three years on count four, five years on count five, and three years on count six. The court ruled that the sentences would run concurrently and ordered that the time the convict had already spent in custody be deducted from the sentence.
The judge also granted the final forfeiture of the red-coloured Toyota Sienna, the $10,400, the ₦100,000, and the set of necklaces linked to the drug trafficking operation, to the Federal Government.
