A Federal High Court in Lagos State, on Tuesday, sentenced a 33-year-old man, Mcdonald Osasere, to five years imprisonment for drug trafficking.

The defendant was arraigned by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on a one-count charge of drug trafficking.

He pleaded guilty to the charge.

The prosecutor, Mr Augustine Nwagu, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on March 21, at gate C departure hall of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos State.

Mr Nwagu said that the defendant was arrested during the outward clearance of passengers on a Turkish airline flight to Italy.

He said that 500 grammes of tramadol was recovered from the defendant which he exported without lawful authority.

He said the offence contravenes the provisions of section 11(b) of the NDLEA Act Cap N30 Law of the Federation 2004.

Following the plea of the defendant, the prosecutor reviewed the facts of the case before the court.

He tendered exhibits such as a drug analysis form, request of scientific aid form, remnant of the substance, and a statement of the defendant among others.

The court admitted and marked them as exhibits.

The prosecutor then urged the court to convict the defendant based on his plea and evidences adduced by the prosecution.

In his verdict, Justice Daniel Osiagor found the defendant guilty of the charge and consequently sentenced him to five years imprisonment.

He, however, gave the convict an option of N750,000 fine.

(NAN)