A Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday convicted 40-year-old American-trained Nollywood filmmaker Mbadiwe Emeka to five years in prison for trafficking 17.30 kilograms of Canada Loud, a form of Cannabis Sativa, which is classified as a narcotic similar to cocaine, LSD, and heroin.
Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa handed down the sentence after Emeka pleaded guilty to two counts of unlawful drug importation, brought by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
During the trial, NDLEA prosecutor Abu Ibrahim told the court that Emeka was arrested on December 24, 2024, at the National Handling Company Import Shed at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, while customs officials were inspecting an incoming shipment with Airway Bill No. 00637337285, originating from Houston, USA. Ibrahim revealed that Emeka had enlisted Uzoekwe Ugochukwu James to smuggle the illegal drug.
The prosecutor emphasized that the offenses violated Sections 21(1)(e) and were punishable under Sections 11(a), 20(1)(a), and 20(2)(a) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act (Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004).
Emeka, who pleaded guilty to both counts, saw the prosecutor present the case’s facts and tender all relevant evidence in court.
Defense attorney Dennis Warri urged the court to show mercy in sentencing, citing Emeka’s prompt guilty plea as an indication of remorse. Warri also requested that the court consider a non-custodial sentence or a fine in lieu of prison time.
After hearing all arguments, Justice Lewis-Allagoa sentenced Emeka to five years in prison but gave him an option to pay a fine of N3 million in lieu of serving the jail term. The court also ordered the forfeiture of the seized drugs, along with an iPhone 12 Pro Max, to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
