The Convict, Ogalu Alexander Ameh
A freight agent, Ogalu Alexander Ameh, was today convicted and sentenced to six months community service, for export hard drug, by a Lagos Federal High Court.
Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa convicted and sentenced the freight agent, after he pleaded guilty to the one count charge of unlawful export of the banned substance, made against him by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The prosecutor, E. Okon, told the court that the convict had on March 25, 2023, unlawfully exported 30 grams of Estacy, a hard drug, a Psychotropic substance similar to cocaine, heroin and LSD, at the Ikeja office of DHL.
The prosecutor told the court that the convict’s illegal act, contravened section 11(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap 30 Law Of The Federation 2004, and punishable under the same Act.
The convict pleaded guilty to the allegation again him.
Based on his plea, the prosecutor after reviewing the facts of the charge and tendering of the exhibits, urged the court to convict and sentence him in accordance with section 274 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015.
But lawyer to the convict, Bolanle Kolawole, pleaded with the court to tamper justice with mercy in sentencing the convict. Adding that his earlier guilty plea, was a sign of remorsefulness.
She told the court that the convict was mislead by his clients
She urged the court to give him a non-custodian sentence or option of fine in lieu of the custodian sentence.
Justice Lewis-Allagoa after considering the mitigating as stated by the counsel, sentenced the convict to six months community service.
Charge Against The Convict Reads: “That you Ogalu Alexander Ameh, Male, Adult on or about the 25th of March 2024, at DHL Courier Company Nacho Ikeja, Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honorable court without lawful authority exported 30 grams of Estacy which is a Psychotropic substance similar to cocaine, heroin and LSD and therefore committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 11(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap 30 Law Of The Federation 2004.
