By Jerry Uwah
Lagos
A Federal High Court in Lagos, on Tuesday sentenced a 67-year-old man, Ichi Ukegbu, to three and half years in prison over attempt to export 1.6 kg of heroin to United States of America.
He was sentenced without an option of fine despite passionate plea by his counsel, Mr. A.M. Lawal that if sent to jail, the convict who he said was too frail, might not live to serve the jail term.
Lawal had pleaded with the court to give the old drug pusher an option of fine on grounds of health, adding that Ukegbu resorted to drug trafficking to raise money to pay ransom for his daughter who was kidnapped by unknown gunmen.
Ukegbu, who lives at No 109, Hospital Road, Aba, Abia state was arraigned on June 2, 2011. He pleaded not guilty but later changed his plea to guilty.
The old drug trafficker may be heading out of prison in the next few weeks because his sentence commences on the day of his arrest more than three years ago.
Justice John Tsoho sentenced Ukegbu after he had pleaded guilty to the charge.
“Based on the plea of the accused and the evidence before the court,
the accused is convicted as charged and sentenced to three and half years imprisonment which will take effect from the date of arrest,” Justice Tsoho said.
The trial judge also ordered that the International passport of the convict be withdrawn by the Ministry of Interior having been unlawfully used.
He ordered that the drug evidence be destroyed after 90 days, if no appeal was made.
The trial judge also ordered that the sum of $8,800 seized from the convict be forfeited to the Federal Government.
Ukegbu case was investigated Mr Naidi Abubakar, an official of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Abubakar was led in evidence by the prosecutor, Mr Abu Ibrahim.
He told the court that the matter was assigned to him to investigate.
He said the convict was suspected to have swallowed some substances suspected to be hard drugs.
