Court jails Nigerian 11 years for dealing in drugs

A 25- year- old Nigerian who attempted to transport 16 bundles of cannabis Sativa to Nigeria was on Monday sentenced to 11 years imprisonment by an Accra Circuit Court.

Onyedikechi Ugbana charged with possession of cannabis sativa weighing 10,150 grammes, pleaded not guilty.

However the court presided over by Mr Justice Francis Obiri after conducting a full trial found him guilty and convicted him accordingly.

The trial judge rejected the defence of the convict saying he did not know the contents of the bags when he was arrested adding that he was only covering up.

The court noted that Ugbana was a first offender and had shown remorse in the dock.

Ugbana’s counsel Mr George Asamaning pleaded with the court to deal leniently with him.

Defence counsel expressed wonder why with much emphasis on education, the convict would like to transport the drug to Nigeria.

Prosecuting, Mrs Elizabeth Sackeyfio, an Attorney from the Attorney General’s Department prayed the court to take a look at the misdemeanour of the convict stressing that the court should not give the convict the minimum sentence.

The brief facts were that the complainant was Mr Jackson Kobbi, Manager of Chisco Transport Company at Neoplan Station.

Ugbana and his accomplice now at large on August 24, 2011 at about 7:30 pm boarded a bus to Nigeria.

According to the complainant, Ugbana and his accomplice had a "swollen" suit case to board the bus to Nigeria, adding that their conducts were suspicious hence their suit case was searched.

In the suit case, 16 bundles of dried leaves which later tested positive of cannabis were found concealed among the clothes of Ugbana.

When the complainant attempted to call in the Police, Ugbana and his accomplice took to their heels but Ugbana was apprehended.