Court sentences man to five years imprisonment for smuggling Cannabis in loud speakers into Nigeria

Justice Akintayo Aluko of a Lagos Federal High Court, today, sentenced Taiwo Olusegun Anuoluwapo, to five years imprisonment, for smuggling 23.3 Kilogrames of synthetic strain of Cannabis Sativa, popularly called Canada Loud, into the country in loud speakers.
The convict, was arraigned before the court last week Tuesday, alongside a freight forwarder, Babalola Ayodeji Gboyega, on a three count-charge of conspiracy, unlawful possession of the said banned substance.
During their arraignment, th convict admitted commiting the offences, while the freight forwarder denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty to the charges.
With their pleas, Justice Aluko adjourned till today, for review of the facts, and hearing of the bail application of the freight agent.
At the resumed hearing of the charge today, the prosecutor, Mr. Abu Ibrahim, told the court that the convict was arrested on on February 17, 2024, at the Allen Avenue area of Ikeja, Lagos.
The prosecutor told the court that the convict, conspired with the dou of one ‘Pappy’ based in United States of America and KIM with telephone number +19296691076 based in Canada to commit the offences.
The prosecutor also led one of the NDLEA’s operatives, to tender both the bulk of the seized drug, samples taken to laboratory to confirm it’s authenticity, and the convict’s confessional statements, which were admitted by the court.
Following the admission of the exhibits, the prosecutor urged the court to sentence the convict in accordance with the sections of the NDLEA Acts he was charged with.
But his lawyer, Dennis Warri, in his allucutor, told the court that the convict, is a first time convict, without previous conviction record. Adding that he had learned his lesson, and also confined in him not to go back to crime.
The lawyer, who described the convict as a ‘young man’ and a graduate who allow himself to be use for the ‘mess’, also prayed the court to give him second chance.
The lawyer, while citing plethoras of authorites, also urged the court to be merciful with the convict and to consider a non-custodian sentence in lieu of terms of imprisonment.
Prosecutor, Mr. Ibrahim, confirmed to court that the convict has no evidence of previous conviction known to the prosecution.
He also urged the court to return the NDLEA the exhibits, as it will be used for the prosecution of the first defendant (the freight agent).
Justice Aluko in his judgment, sentence the convict to five years imprisonment.
The judge however ordered the convict to pay the sum of N1.5 million, in lieu of the jail-term.
Meanwhile, the freight agent, Babalola Ayodeji Gboyega, who pleaded not guilty to the charges has been admitted to bail in the sum of N10 million with one surety in like sum.
He was given the bail sum, after his lawyer, Henry Orarotimi, moved his bail application before the court today.
The judge also ordered that the surety could be a Civil servant on Grade Level 14 and above, or an owner of a plot of land with necessary documents within the court’s jurisdiction. Adding that the surety must have a permanent residence in Lagos with affidavit of mean.
The judge has adjourned to June 13, for the freight agent’s trial.
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