Drug: Court convicts man for unlawful exportation

A drug dealer, Mba Ebere, has been convicted for exporting 280 grams of methamphetamine (a hard drug) to Malaysia by a Federal High Court in Lagos

Justice Mojisola Olatoregun convicted Ebere after finding him guilty on one count of unlawful exportation of 280 grams of methamphetamine, which was preferred against him by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.

The convict, who was 47 years old at the time of committing the crime, was arrested at the Gbagada, Lagos office of United Parcel Services, when he wanted to export the drug to Malaysia.

The charge read, “That you, Mba Ebere, on or about the July 3, 2012, at the courier company, United Parcel Service, Gbagada, Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, without lawful authority, exported 280 grams of methamphetamine, a drug similar to cocaine, heroin and LSD, to Malaysia with airway bill No. 1273257A0477356775 and shipment ID 73257APY8F4, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 11 (b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N 30, Law of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.”

During the trial, which commenced sometime in 2012, the NDLEA through its counsel, Obiageri Iwuchukwu, called six witnesses, including the arresting officer, investigating officer, an official of United Parcel Services, the exhibit keeper and others, who told the court how the convict was arrested.

Obiageri also tendered some exhibits, which included a sample of the drug, test analysis form and the courier company’s airway bill.

Delivering judgement, on Thursday, Justice Olatoregun held that the prosecution had been able to discharge the burden of proof of the charge against the convict.

Olatoregun, who noted that with all the evidence given by the witnesses, the prosecution had been able to prove the charge against the convict beyond every reasonable doubt, pronounced Ebere guilty as charged.

She, however, adjourned the sentencing of the convict till February 21.