PRESS RELEASE
Honourable Justice D. V. Agishi of the Federal High Court Enugu Judicial Division had sentenced two drug traffickers arrested at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport (AIIA) Enugu to fifty-five years in jail. The convicts are Okafor Deborah Chidinma a professional dancer, who was charged for conspiracy, trafficking and unlawful possession of 3.450kg of amphetamine and Iheme Promise Onyemauchechukwu who was charged with trafficking and unlawful importation of 9.975kg of heroin.
Deborah who would have been paid the sum of $3,500 dollars if she had succeeded in her criminal trip to Malaysia had bitten more than she can chew as she bagged 40 years jail term. She was convicted as charged and sentenced to ten (10) years each in count 1 and count 2 and 20 years in count three, making it a total of 40 years. The second convict, Iheme Promise Onyemauchechukwu was charged with trafficking and unlawful importation of 9.975kg of heroin. He was convicted as charged and sentenced to ten years in count 1 with a fine of N1m naira and five years in count two with a fine of N500,000,000.
Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Ahmadu Giade expressed satisfaction with the judgment. In his words, “while this punishment is expected to correct the convicts, it will equally help to deter others from getting involved in drug trafficking. The Agency commits huge resources in drug investigation, arrests and prosecution. Judgment like this will further lend credence to the nation’s anti-drug campaign”.
Okafor Deborah Chidinma, a 30-year-old professional dancer was heading to Malaysia with 3.450kg of amphetamine hidden inside the pockets of jeans trousers in her luggage. Deborah, who hails from Imo State, said that she was promised the sum of $3,500 to export the illicit drugs to Malaysia. She added that she was broke and needed money. “I am a dancer; I was broke and needed money. I have been approached on many occasions to smuggle drugs but I declined. I thought that I could earn some quick money in few days” she stated.
Mr. Iheme Promise Onyemauchechukwu, 27 year-old was recruited in Tanzania by a suspected drug cartel in East Africa. He told investigators that he smuggled drugs because he was stranded.
“I used to sell phone accessories before I left the country. I wanted to go to Malaysia in search of job opportunities but I was stranded in Tanzania. That was how I met a Nigerian who gave me money and promised to assist me get back to Nigeria. He offered to give me some money to start up my business. He later took me to Bujumbura Burundi where I was given 9.975kg of heroin hidden inside cosmetics” he stated.
Ofoyeju Mitchell
Head, Public Affairs
