Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa of a Lagos Federal High Court has convicted a drug dealer, Musa Abdul, in absentia.
Justice Lewis-Allagoa also issued a Bench warrant against him.
The drug dealer, was arraigned before the court by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on a count-charge of unlawful exportation of 117 grams of cocaine, sometimes in February 2022.
During his trial, the prosecutor, Mr. Abu Ibrahim, told the court that the defendant (Musa Abdul) was arrested with the banned substance, on January 8, 2021, during the outward clearance of Cargo to India at SACHO Export Shed of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos
Abu told the court that the offence committed by the defendant contravened Section 11(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
The drug dealer denied the allegation, and he was admitted to bail in various terms and conditions.
However, after his bail and midway into the trial, the convict jumped bail till the closing of prosecution’s case against him.
Upon conclusion of prosecution’s case, the prosecutor asked the court for an order foreclosing the defendant, due to his failure to defend that charge against him.
The court consequently foreclosed the defendant and adjourned till today for judgment.
At the resumed hearing of the matter today, the prosecutor, Mr. Abu, while citing plethora of cases, asked the court to judge the defendant in accordance with the section of the law he was charged with.
The prosecutor also urged the court to make a consequential order, declaring the drug dealer wanted.
Justice Lewis-Allagoa in his judgment, upheld the prosecutor’s request and convicted the defendant as well as declare him wanted.
Declaring him wanted, the judge said, “That you Musa Abdul, male, adult on or about the 8th day of January 2021 during the outward clearance of Cargo to India at SACHO Export Shed of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja — Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court without lawful authority exported 117 grammes of Cocaine and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 11(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
