By Jerry Uwah Lagos
Justice Hadizat Rabiu-Shagari of a Federal High Court in Lagos, yesterday, sentenced a 64-yearold Lagos socialite, Odeyemi Omolola to 25 years in prison for attempting to smuggle 1.595kg of cocaine to Saudi Arabia. Odeyemi was charged before the court alongside a lagos socialite, Mrs.Funmilola Arike Ogbuaya, popularly known as Ariket. Th e court sentenced Odeyemi, who is also known as Ariyo Monsurat Olabisi, after she changed her plea in an amended fi ve-count charge. Th e convict was arraigned on a three countcharge of conspiracy, unlawful possession of banned drug, and attempt to export the said banned drug to Saudi Arabia, the Lagos socialite.
Th e off ences according to the prosecutor, Mr. Abu Ibrahim, are contrary to sections 14(b), 11(b) and 19 of the National Drugs Laws Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30, Laws if the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. Th e two accused persons had pleaded not guilty when they were both arraigned before the court, sometime in May, 2017. However, at the resumed trial of the two accused persons yesterday, the convict, Odeyemi, through her lawyer, Mr. King Wilson, informed the court of her intention to change her plea, particularly, on count four of the charge, which bordered on attempt to export 1.595 kilogrammes of Cocaine to Saudi Arabia.
Th e count of the charge was read: “Th at you Odeyemi Omolara a.k.a Ariyo Monsurat Olabisi, of 27, Adebule Street, Off Palm Avenue, Mushin, Lagos, on or about February 24, 2017, at Murtala Muhammad International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, during the outward clearance of passengers of Egypt Air Flight to Saudi Arabia, at the Egypt Air checkin-counter, without lawful authority exported 1.595 kilogrammes of cocaine, a narcotic drug, and you thereby committed an off ence contrary to and punishable under section 19 of the National Drugs Laws Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.” In sentencing the convict, Justice Rabiu-Shagari after listening to the submissions of both parties said: “I have listened carefully to the defendant’s counsel. It’s true that sentence is not punitive but reformatory and to serve as deterrent to others. Consequently, the convict is hereby sentenced to 25 years in prison, starting from when she was fi rst arrested.
