A Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday sentenced
one Umeh Henry to two years imprisonment for being in
unlawful possession of cocaine.
Shortly before the pronouncement, the convict, while
pleading with the court to temper justice with mercy, said
he was a professional footballer based in Brazil.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency had, last week
Thursday, brought Henry before Justice Mohammed Idris
on the allegation that he was found in unlawful possession
of 15 grammes of cocaine. The prosecutor, Mr. Vembe
Emmanuel, had told the court that he was arrested by
NDLEA operatives on October 6 last year.
He was said to have been apprehended during the inward
clearance of the Emirate Airlines from Brazil via Dubai at
the E-arrival hall of the Murtala Muhammed International
Airport, Lagos.
The agency charged him with one count bordering on the
offence against the provisions of Section 11(c) of the
NDLEA Act, Cap N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria,
2004.
The convict immediately pleaded guilty to the offence.
At the resumed trial on Wednesday, Vembe, after reviewing
the facts of the case, prayed the court to convict Henry and
sentence him accordingly.
“My Lord, in view of the plea of the accused person and the
evidence before this hounourable court, we urge your
Lordship to convict the accused in line with the provisions
of sections 218 and 285 of the Criminal Procedure Act,”
Vembe submitted.
Idris consequently convicted Henry of the crime as prayed
by Vembe.
The defence counsel, Chief Benson Ndakara, however
pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy in
pronouncing the sentence.
Ndakara urged the court to note that Henry was contrite and
had without wasting the time of the court and tax payers’
money pleaded guilty to the offence.
The lawyer also urged the court to note that the 15
grammes of cocaine found on Henry was for his personal
use rather than for sale.
In his own allocutus, Henry himself told the court that he
took to using hard drug to address certain problems that he
was dealing with. He added that a friend had recommended
it to him.
In his judgment, Idris said he was pleased that the convict
had voluntarily owned up to the crime without waiting for
the court to find him out.
The judge however counselled the convict on the evil effect
of hard drug.
“I’m happy that your story was constant and that you did
not use it for commercial purposes.
“I like it that you had said the truth and God will forgive
you. But don’t take drug anymore; any relief it gives you is
just temporary.
“So, when you get out of jail don’t use it again,” Idris said.

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