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Court Hands 25-Year Sentence To India-Bound Drug Smuggler

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A Federal High Court has sentenced Freeman Charles Ogbonna to 25 years in prison following his arrest by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos.

Ogbonna, who was bound for Delhi, India, via Doha on Qatar Airways, was apprehended after he began vomiting and excreting 80 wraps of cocaine during screening at Terminal 2 of MMIA.

Initially using a Liberian passport under the name Carr Bismark, Ogbonna was identified through a positive body scan indicating drug ingestion.

Subsequent investigation revealed his true identity and he was placed under NDLEA custody.

Spokesperson Femi Babafemi disclosed in a statement on Tuesday that Ogbonna’s discomfort led to the expulsion of the illicit drugs ingested.

He said “Obviously choked by the volume of illicit drugs in his stomach and another substance taken to hold back excretion, the suspect soon began to retch before starting to vomit and excrete wraps of cocaine he ingested almost simultaneously.

“The suspect who claimed he was recruited into drug trafficking by one of his relatives, eventually passed out a total of 80 wraps of cocaine weighing 889 grams through his mouth and anus over a period of four days.

“The great risk that almost took his life notwithstanding, Ogbonna said he was given the drugs to swallow at a hotel in Ipodo area of Ikeja with a promise to reward him with N300,000 cash if he successfully delivers the consignment in India.

“He was subsequently arraigned before Justice Dipeolu Deinde Isaac of the Federal High Court, Lagos in charge number FHCL/378/2024 for committing an offence contrary to Section 20(1)(b) and punishable under Section 20(2)(a) of the NDLEA Act Cap N30 LFN 2004.”

In his ruling on Monday, July 1, 2024, Justice Dipeolu sentenced Freeman Charles Ogbonna to 25 years in prison without the option of a fine.

This decision came after Ogbonna was arrested by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for attempting to traffic cocaine through Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos.

Chairman and Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Marwa (rtd), praised the MMIA Command and the prosecution team for their swift and thorough handling of the case.

He emphasized the judiciary’s crucial role in the concerted efforts to combat substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in Nigeria.

Marwa underscored that Ogbonna’s conviction serves as a stern warning to others involved in drug trafficking, highlighting that there will be no refuge for drug barons and their associates.

 

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NDLEA’s Public Education Takes On Substance Abuse In Pregnancy

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The weekly public enlightenment campaign of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) would be focusing on women, this Friday.

Biztellers reports that the President, Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria, Prof. Rosemary Ogu would be leading the discussions.

According to a statement on the verified X handle of the NDLEA, the conversations would be on the subject, “Substance Abuse in Pregnancy: Signs, Symptoms, Effects and Remedies”.

It was gathered that the Agency had resorted to public enlargement as a way of discouraging abuse of substances among the people.

It wrote, “The President, Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria, Prof. Rosemary Ogu will lead the 102nd edition of our weekly X Space conversation this Friday at 3pm.

“Let’s prepare for this engaging and informative experience.”

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EFCC Moves To Forestall Mass Protests

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Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), appears to be leaving no stone unturned in the bid to forestall brewing mass protests against its operations.

This was gleaned in statement on its verified handle on X, signed by its Head, Media & Publicity, Dele Oyewale on Thursday.

According to Oyewale, the EFCC wishes to alert the general public on the plan by a shadowy group to instigate a “protest” against the Commission.

He added, “In the last couple of days, the group has been actively campaigning in the social media, recruiting impressionable young Nigerians, including students to take up “arms” against the EFCC.

“This insidious campaign is being promoted as resistance to the operational activities of the Commission especially in respect of the enforcement of the laws dealing with cybercrimes.

“The Commission, while not averse to protests by citizens, is alarmed by  emerging evidence that  suggest a grand design by corrupt elements under investigation or prosecution by the Commission to exploit the so-called protest to orchestrate a national uprising that may threaten the peace and security of our dear nation.

“As a responsible law enforcement organisation, the Commission will not tolerate any breakdown of law and order anywhere in the country especially around its office locations across Nigeria.

“EFCC, working in concert with sister security agencies, is therefore taking necessary measures to deal with possible threats to the peace and security of Nigeria.

“The Commission, however, appeals to parents, guardians and heads of tertiary institutions to take responsibility in ensuring that their wards are not recruited to be used as cannon fodder in a proxy war against the Commission by vested corrupt interests.

“The war being waged by the Commission against corruption and cybercrime is to protect the future of the youth of this country. That future is imperiled if Nigeria degenerates further in global reckoning as a den of fraudsters.”

 

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BIZARRE: 20-Year Old Student Remanded For Raping Mad Woman

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A secondary school student in Adamawa State has been remanded in custody for allegedly raping a mentally ill woman on three occasions.

Idris Alex Emeka, a 20-year-old student of Capital Government Day Secondary School, appeared before Chief Magistrate Court 2 in Yola and pleaded guilty to the charge of rape.

The presiding judge, Magistrate Musa Alhaji Adamu, ordered Emeka’s remand following his admission of guilt.

According to the prosecution, Emeka was caught in the act with the woman on June 26, 2024.

The First Information Report presented in court detailed that the defendant had engaged in sexual intercourse with the woman on three separate occasions.

Inspector Galeon Nimrod, the prosecuting officer, recounted that Habu Jibrilla reported the incident to Karewa Police Station.

Jibrilla, a resident of the State Low-Cost Housing Estate in Jimeta, apprehended Emeka at approximately 6:40 a.m. while he was having sex with the woman on the street and promptly handed him over to the police.

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