The Federal High Court sitting in Benin, Edo State, has sentenced 11 drug barons to 79 years imprisonment.
Those convicted were nine males and two female suspects.
They are Alaba Monday (49); Okpiaesi Abraham (52 years); Atari Isreal (45 years); Emmanuel Nwosu (46 years) and Samuel Samson (26 years).
Daniel Peter (20 years); Margaret Amuludu (40 years); Abel Edah (31 years); Bella Fedrick (29 years); Lucky Aligbe (50 years) and Benson Uponi, aged 65.
Edo Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement, Mitchell Ofoyeju, said the court was presided over by
Justice B. O. Quadiri and Justice Prof. C. O. Obiozor.
Ofoyeju stated that Alaba Monday was caught with 115 kilograms of cannabis and got a 15-year sentence with a fine of N3 million while Aligbe, was sentenced to 25 years in prison over unlawful possession of drugs, including cannabis, tramadol, swinol, and diazepam.
He said Justice Quadiri noted that the the convicts’ previous conviction warranted a severe sentence, especially as the need to deter similar future offences remains paramount.
“In another case, Bella Fedrick was sentenced to two years in prison or the option of paying a fine of N5 million for unlawful possession of 29 grams of methamphetamine. This case highlights the ongoing battle against synthetic drugs, which have become increasingly prevalent in communities.
“The court also dealt a heavy blow to cannabis cultivation with the conviction of Abel Edah, who, alongside charges of unlawful possession involving 5 kilograms, was found guilty of cultivating a cannabis farm spanning 0.678 hectares. Edah received a concurrent two-year sentence on both counts or the option of a 5 million Naira fine for each count.
“Also, Samuel Samson and Daniel Peter, who were both sentenced for unlawful possession and cultivation of cannabis sativa. They each received a sentence of two years or the option of a N5 million fine.
“Emmanuel Nwosu got 15 years for possessing 276 grams of cannabis with an option of N750,000. Also noteworthy was the conviction of Atari Israel, who got two years’ imprisonment for unlawful possession and transportation of 9 kilograms of cannabis with a 2.5 million naira fine. The court, however, authorised the forfeiture of his navy-blue Audi station wagon, linking it directly to his illegal activities.”
