The Federal High Court in Lagos has sentenced two businessmen, Chukwuemeka Emmanuel and Amanambu Kingsley, to a total of nine years in prison for their involvement in the unlawful importation of 8,200 kilograms of cough syrup containing prohibited Codeine.
The convictions, handed down by Justice Akintayo Aluko, followed the businessmen’s guilty pleas to charges of conspiracy, unlawful importation, and dealing in the banned substance.
The court also ordered the forfeiture of a White Toyota Tacoma V6, used in transporting the illicit drug, to the Federal Government. The vehicle was deemed a proceeds of crime.
Emmanuel and Kingsley were arrested on June 10, 2024, in Lagos, in connection with the illegal importation. Their actions violated sections of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act.
Despite their guilty pleas and lack of previous convictions, the court did not grant a non-custodial sentence but imposed concurrent jail terms of five years, six years, and three years on the three counts, along with a fine option of N1 million for each count.
The forfeiture of the vehicle was ordered following an exparte motion by the prosecutor, who cited various legal provisions to support the request. Justice Aluko’s decision to finalize the forfeiture of the vehicle underscores the court’s stance on dealing decisively with drug-related crimes.
