Three drug barons, Paul Onyili , aka Ozo, Sunny Okehuka, and Nzewi Okenwa have been convicted by a Lagos Federal High Court, for unlawful production of methamphetamine.
The trio was arraigned on two different charges and was convicted of unlawful production and possession of 6.24 kilograms of the banned substance.
In a charge marked FHC/L/C/536c/2023, the duo of Ozo and Okehuka were convicted of one charge of forming and operating an illegal clandestine laboratory, which they used for the production of methamphetamine.
In a second charge marked FHC/L/527c/2023, the convict in the first charge Okehuka was again convicted alongside one Nzewi, on another four counts charge of conspiracy, unlawful production of the banned substance, and illegal possession of methamphetamine.
All the offenses according to the prosecutor, Mr. A. G. 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 pleaded guilty to the methamphetamine charges when it was 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 on methamphetamine.
But their lawyer, Benson Ndakara, citing a plethora of authorities pleaded with the court to tamper justice with mercy in sentencing his clients.
Ndakara particularly urged the court to give the convicts an option of a fine instead of a custodian sentence.
Upon hearing submissions of counsel, Justice Daniel Osiagor sentenced Onyili aka Ozo and Okehuka to four years imprisonment but with a fine option of N1 million and two weeks community service on the first charge.
The judge also sentenced Okehuka and Nzewi to four years imprisonment with an option of an N4 million fine instead of the sentences.
The judge also ordered Okehuka and Okenwa Chris Nzewi to perform three weeks and two weeks of community service respectively, while adding two weeks of community service in addition to the fine option.
The three convicts, who were residents of 160 Umukabia layout, Amawbia Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State and Emelogu Street, Oghor Hill Aba, Aba North Local Government Area of Abia State, were accused of having an illegal clandestine laboratory at House Number K 5A/2, Road 14, Victoria Garden City Estate, Eti-Osa Local Government Area Lagos State and Ngbodo Village Nise, Anambra State, where they processed and produced methamphetamine, a banned substance similar to cocaine and heroin.
