Chidinma Juliet Gabriel, 32, was on Friday convicted and sentenced to six years imprisonment without an option of fine, for trafficking in 2.9 kilograms of cocaine, by a Lagos Federal High, Court.
Justice Ayokunle Faji who presided over the court, convicted and sentenced the woman, after holding that the prosecution has successfully proved the charge against her beyond every reasonable doubt.
The judge while dismissing the defence put up by Chidinma’s counsel, Chief Lilian Omotunde sentenced her to six years.
The judge ordered that the jail term commenced from today.
Chidinma’s journey to prison started on November 15, 2015, when she was arrested with the banned drug, at the arrival hall of Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, while returning from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, through Emirates Airlines.
Her offence is contrary to and Punishable Under Section 11(a) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, Cap N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
During her trial, the prosecutor, Dinneys Owen Fingere, called a total of six witnesses and tendered several exhibits, which include the convict’s confessional statement, her international travel passport, report of forensic analysis, bulk of the seized drugs and among others.
After sentencing Chidinma, her counsel pleaded with the court to tamper justice with mercy, as she has vowed not to engage in anything illegal.
The counsel also begged the court to lenient in sentencing her as she was a first time offender, who has no previous record of conviction.
The charge against her read: “that you Gabriel Chidinma Juliet, female, adult, on or about 15th November, 2015 during the inward clearance of Emirate Airline from Dubai at the ‘E’ Arrival Hall of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court without lawful authority imported 2.9 kilograms of cocaine, thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 11(a) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, Cap N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004”.
