Clearing agent bags 30 years jail term for importing cannabis

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has sentenced a clearing and forwarding agent, Napoleon Osariemen, to 30 years jail term for illegally importing 2kg of cannabis sativa, popularly known as marijuana.

The presiding judge, Justice Ayokunle Faji, also ordered that the firm used to smuggle the banned substance, NAPOSA Cargo Logistics Investment Limited, be wind-up and forfeited to the Federal Government.

However, Osariemen’s co-accused, Olasupo Olakemi, was freed by the court for want of evidence.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) had sometimes in 2016 docked the clearing agent, his firm and Olasupo on a 2-count charge bordering on unlawful importation of the banned substance.

All the defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge and were later admitted to bail in various terms.

In the course of their trial, NDLEA’s lawyer, Ogwubor I. J., called a total of 10 witnesses and tendered several exhibits, which include the defendants’ confessional statement, bulk of the seized drug, results of laboratory tests and others.

Delivering judgement in the matter on Thursday, Justice Faji held that the prosecution has successfully proved its case against the clearing agent and his firm.

He consequently sentenced Osariemen to 15 years jail term on each of the counts, while he also ordered the forfeiture of the firm to the Federal Government. The jail terms are to run concurrently.

The presiding judge, however, discharged and acquitted the third defendant, Olasupo Olakemi, on the grounds that there was no evidence linking her to the crime.

In the charge marked FHC/L/475c/2016, the defendants were said to have sometimes in October 8, 2016, at NAHCO Import Shed of Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, without lawful authority, conspired among themselves; with one, Tony Adele, a.k.a Mr. James and Mr. Gbenga, of 1161, Weston Road, Toronto, Canada, M9N, 3P8, being a Consignor of the goods, to import, dispatch, deliver 2 kg of cannabis sativa.

They were also alleged to have on October 7, 2016, during the examination of their Cargo at NAHCO import Shed of Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, without lawful authority, conspired with with one, Tony Adele, a.k.a Mr. James and Mr. Gbenga, and the duo of James Chukwu and James Okorodafor Ike (both Customs Licensed Clearing Agents at the NAHCO import shed) to import 2 kg of cannabis sativa.

The offences were said to have contravened Sections 14(b) and 11(a) of the National Drug Law Entorcement Agency Act Cap N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

The Star