Nigerian businessman jailed for drugs

A Nigerian businessman who expelled 76 pellets of cocaine was on Friday sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment by an Accra High Court.

Nwoke Chukwuedozie, charged with attempted exportation of narcotic drugs without license by the Minister of Health and possession of narcotic drugs without lawful authority, pleaded guilty with explanation.

In his explanation to the court, Chukwuedozie said he was cash-trapped hence agreed to transport the drug for a fee of $5,000.

Chukwuedozie therefore pleaded with the court presided over by Mr Justice Charles Quist to have mercy on him and deal with him leniently.

The court, however, sentenced him to 10 years’ on each count. Sentences are to run concurrently.

The case as presented by Mr George K. Ofori, Principal State Attorney, was that on July 11 at 2030 hours, operatives of Narcotics Control Board (NACOB) on duty at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) confronted the convict on suspicion that he had ingested narcotic drugs.

Mr Ofori said Chukwuedozie, who was then going through departure formalities to board his KLM flight bound for Amsterdam, was picked up and his urine tested.

The Principal State Attorney said the test proved positive, indicating that he was carrying drugs.

During interrogation Chukwuedozie admitted swallowing 76 pellets of cocaine and that he was directed by one Emeka from Istanbul, Turkey, to contact one Johnson in Ghana for the drugs.

According to him, Johnson gave him 76 pellets of cocaine and he swallowed them. Chukwuedozie said Emeka promised him $5,000 for safe delivery.

Source: GNA