Three drug barons, Onyili Paul, a.k.a. Ozo, Sunny Okehuka and Okenwa Nzewi have been convicted by a Lagos Federal High Court, for unlawful production of prohibited hard drug.
The trio were arraigned on two different charges, were convicted for unlawful production and possession 6.24 kilograms of the banned substance.
In one of the charge marked FHC/L/C/536c/2023, the duo of Onyili Paul and Sunny Okehuka, were convicted of one charge of forming and operating an illegal Clandestine laboratory, which they used for the production Mathamphetanine.
An in the second charge marked FHC/L/527c/2023, the convict in the first charge Sunny Okehuka, was again convicted alongside one Okenwa Chris Nzewi, on another four counts charge of conspiracy, unlawful production of the banned substance, and illegal possession of same banned substance.
All the offences according to the prosecutor, Mr. A. Yuanyam, contrary to and punishable under Sections 14(b), 20(1) and 19 of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 (as amended) and punishable under section 20(2)(b) the same Act.
The convicts have pleaded guilty to the charges when it were read to them.
Following their guilty plea, the prosecutor urged the court to convict and sentence them in accordance with the sections of the NDLEA Act that they were charged with.
But their lawyer, Chief Benson Ndakara, after citing plethoras of authorities, pleaded with the court to tamper justice with mercy in sentencing his clients.
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Ndakara particularly urged the court to give the convicts and option of fine in lieu of custodian sentence.
Upon hearing submissions of counsel, Justice Daniel Osiagor, sentenced Onyili and Okehuka to four years imprisonment but with a fine option of N1 million and two weeks community service on the first charge.
On the charge, the judge also sentenced Okehuka and Nzewi to four years imprisonment with an option of N4 million in lieu of the sentences
The judge, however, ordered Okehuka and Nzewi to perform three weeks and two weeks community service respectively, while added two weeks community service in addition to fine option.
The three convicts, who were residents of 160 Umukabia layout, Amawbia Awka South LGA of Anambra State and Emelogu street, Oghor Hill Aba, Aba North LGA of Abia State, were accused of having an illegal Clandestine laboratory at House Number K 5A/2, Road 14Victoria Garden City, VGC, Estate, Eti-Osa LGA of Lagos State and Ngbodo Village Nise, Anambra State, where they process and produce Mathamphetanine, a banned substance similar to Cocaine and heroin.
