The Lagos Division of the Federal High Court on Friday sentenced a 52-year-old man, Machris Okwara, to 12 months in prison for drug trafficking.

Mr Okwara was charged on three counts by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

He admitted guilt as charged and pleaded for leniency.

Following Mr Okwara’s admission of guilt, the court reviewed the facts of the case, with counsel to NDLEA, Ifeoma Erondu, tendering several exhibits, which the court admitted.

Ms Erondu then urged the court to convict and sentence the defendant based on his guilty plea and the evidence presented.

The court consequently convicted and sentenced Mr Okwara, giving him an option N400,000 fine.

On count one, the court sentenced him to 12 months in prison or a N200,000 fine. On count two, the court sentenced Mr Okwara to six months or a N100,000 fine.

On count three, the court sentenced him to six months’ imprisonment or a N100,000 fine.

It held that the jail terms should run concurrently while the fine should be cumulative.

This means that Mr Okwara will spend 12 months in prison or pay a N400,000 fine.

According to the charge, the convict committed the offence on April 9 in the Ojodu Berger area of Lagos State.

He dealt in 6.5 litres of codeine, five grammes of tramadol and six grammes of Rohypnol, which are restricted drugs.

Drug trafficking contravenes section 11(c) of the NDLEA Act of 2004.

(NAN)