Drug Trafficking:Clearing Agent Jailed, Losses 3 Cars To FG

A clearing agent, Olisaemeka Chibuzo Okoli, have been convicted and sentenced to three years imprisonment for unlawful importation of 610.5 kilograms of Cannabis Indica, a special species of Cannabis Sativa popularity called marijuana.

Olisaemeka was convicted and given the jail-term by Justice Musa Kakaki of a Federal High Court, Lagos, on Monday.

He was previously arraigned before the court last Thursday on a count charge of unlawful importation of the prohibited drug.

The charge against the convict specifically reads: “That you Olisaemeka Chibuzo Okoli, Adult, Male on or about the 30th days of April 2026 at Hanover warehouse, Tin-can Island Port, Lagos state within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, without lawful authority, imported 610.5 kilograms of Cannabis indica, a narcotic drug similar to cocaine, heroine and LSD by concealing same inside three (3) Sienna Bus vehicle with VIN 5TDZA29C465388871, SYDZA23C545189933 and 5TDZA23C255251399 all kept inside a container with Registration Number HLBU3119600 and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 11(a) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.”

He had pleaded guilty to the charge upon his arrraignment.

Based on his guilty plea, the prosecutor, Barrister Adekunle Adebajo, reviewed the facts of the charge, as well tendered several exhibits involved. 

The prosecutor thereafter prayed the court to convict and sentence him accordingly. And also prayed the court to forfeit the three Siena cars used in concealing and transporting the prohibited drugs.

But the convict through his counsel, pleaded for mercy in his allocutor, saying that his client was a victim of circumstances, among others.

In deciding the charge on Wednesday, Justice Kakaki, in his judgment, after legally weighed the submissions made by counsel, and after citing plethoras of legal authorites, sentence the cleaning agent to three years imprisonment without fine option.

In addition to the jail-term, Justice Kakaki also ordered forfeiture of the three Siena with Vehicles Identification Numbers (VIN) 5TDZA29C465388871, SYDZA23C545189933 and 5TDZA23C255251399 to the Federal government of Nigeria.