A 40-year-old America-trained Nollywood filmmaker, Mbadiwe Emeka, has been sentenced to five years imprisonment by a Federal High Court in Lagos for trafficking 17.30 kilograms of Canada Loud (Cannabis Sativa).
The drug is a narcotic similar to cocaine, LSD, and heroin.
Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa handed down the sentence on Wednesday, 5th February 2025, after Emeka pleaded guilty to two counts of unlawful drug importation brought by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
NDLEA prosecution counsel, Abu Ibrahim, told the court that Emeka was arrested on 24th December 2024 at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos State. The drugs were discovered during the examination of incoming cargo with Airway Bill No: 00637337285, from Houston, USA, at the National Handling Company Import Shed.
Mr Ibrahim informed the court that Emeka had procured one Uzoekwe Ugochukwu James to import the banned substance. The offences contravene Sections 21(1)(e) and are punishable under Sections 11(a), 20 (1) (a) and 20 (2) (a) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Emeka pleaded guilty to both counts. The prosecutor then reviewed the case facts and tendered all exhibits.
Emeka’s lawyer, Dennis Warri, asked the court to temper justice with mercy, citing his client’s guilty plea as a sign of remorse and a time-saver for the court. Mr Warri requested a non-custodial sentence or a fine option.
Justice Lewis-Allagoa sentenced Emeka to five years in prison but gave him the option of paying a ₦3 million fine in lieu of the jail term. The court also ordered the forfeiture of the drugs and an iPhone 12 Pro Max to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
