A Federal High Court has sentenced a 76-year-old man, Francis Omofe, to a total of 25 years imprisonment for drug-related offences involving a large quantity of cannabis.
Delivering judgment, Justice James Omotosho held that the prosecution successfully proved the charges against the defendant beyond reasonable doubt and consequently convicted him.
The court imposed a 15-year prison term on the first count without the option of a fine. On the second count, the judge reduced what would have been a life sentence to 25 years, taking into account the defendant’s advanced age. Both sentences are to run concurrently, effective from June 18, 2024—the date of his arrest.
Justice Omotosho noted that despite pleas for leniency, a stiff penalty was necessary to serve as a deterrent, especially given the scale of the offence and its potential societal impact.
He observed that the convict transported a significant commercial quantity of cannabis using a vehicle bearing a police number plate, with the substance allegedly destined for Kaduna State—a region grappling with security challenges linked in part to drug abuse.
According to the charge filed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Omofe was arrested in Abuja on June 18, 2024, while conveying over 340 kilogrammes of cannabis in a Nissan Frontier vehicle with a police registration number.
The court heard that the substance was being moved from Edo State to Kaduna when he was intercepted along Kuje Road in Abuja.
He was charged with possession and transportation of cannabis, offences punishable under relevant provisions of the NDLEA Act.
The ruling underscores ongoing efforts by law enforcement authorities to curb drug trafficking and its wider implications for public safety.