The trial judge, Justice Musa Kakaki of the Federal High Court, Lagos sentenced the drug trafficker today following his earlier conviction on Thursday on a one count charge of unlawful importation of Cannabis Indica.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency had on Thursday arraigned Azu Joseph on a one count charge of unlawful importation of 1,183 kilograms of Cannabis Indica a brand of (Cannabis Sativa), a Narcotic Drug similar to Cocaine, Heroin and LSD from Montreal Canada into Nigeria by concealing same inside the boot of Red Hyundai Santa 2005 model car with VIN SXY7UDLBGI G786648 kept in Container.
When the matter came up for arraignment on Thursday, The prosecution led by Barrister Kunle Adebajo of the NDLEA, told justice Musa Kakaki that the prosecution has a one count charge pending before the court and urged the court to order that the charge be read.
The charge was then read and Azu Joseph pleaded guilty to the one count charge.
Following the defendant’s guilty plea, Adebajo informed the court that the prosecution is ready to review the facts of the case.
The facts of the case was consequently reviewed with all relevant documents and exhibits tendered and admitted in evidence.
Adebajo then urged the court to convict the defendant based on his guilty plea and the evidence adduced by the prosecution.
After analysing the prosecution evidence and in the absence of objection from the defence counsel, Justice Kakaki convicted Asu as charged , while the defence counsel, Bola Bolawole made allocutus on his behalf.
In her allocutus, Bola pleaded for mercy on behalf of the convict. She added that the convict is a first time offender who did not waste the precious time of the court, and that he is now remorseful.
She further stated that the convict has pledged to turn a new leave if granted another chance.
After listening to the defence counsel allocutus, Justice Kakaki adjourned the matter till today (Friday) for sentencing.
At the resumption of trial today, Barister Oguche Eneojo announced appearance for the prosecution while Bola Bolawole announce appearance for the defendant.
Justice Kakaki after reviewing the facts of the case as submitted by both the prosecution and the defence, sentence the convict to 10 years imprisonment or a fine of N25 million in lieu of imprisonment.
The one count charge against the defendant reads : That you Azu Joseph , Adult, Male, on or about the 28th day of January, 2026 at the Customs Enforcement Unit, Tin Can Island Port Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court without lawful authority imported 1,183 kilograms of cannabis Indica, a narcotic drug similar to cocaine, Heroin and LSD from Montreal Canada into Nigeria by concealing same inside the boot of Red Hyundai Santa 2005 model car with VIN SXY7UDLBGI G786648 kept inside a container with Reg, No HLXU 8412990 and thereby committed an offense contrary to and punishable under Section 11(a) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004,