Connect with us

Metro

Court Jails Airport Worker Who Attempted Putting Drug In Passenger’s Luggage

Published

on

Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa of a Lagos Federal High Court, has convicted Ajuzieogu MacElvis Ugochukwu, an airport worker, who attempted putting prohibited drug in Ghana-bound passenger’s luggage.

Convicted alongside ugochukwu, an employee of Pathfinder International Ltd, an aviation security service company, is a 31 year-old Okosun Paul Punitt, the owner of the prohibited drugs.

Both Ugochukwu and Okosun, were sentenced to a year imprisonment on the offences of conspiracy and unlawful export of the said drug, made against them by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

It would be recall that a video of the face-off between the innocent passenger and Ajuzieogu went viral on January 16, 2024, after the vigilant passenger suspected the consignment contained illicit substances.

Advertisement

The two convicts were charged to court on Thursday, on the charges of conspiracy and unlawful export of 17 grammes of Tramadol 225 mg, a psychotropic substance similar to Heroin.

The prosecutor, Mr. Augustine Nwagu, had told the court that the two convicts committed the offences on January 14, 2024, at departure hall of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.

He told the court that the convicts’ acts contravened sections 14(b) and 20(1)(a) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. And punishable 20(2)(a) of the same Act.

The two convicts pleaded guilty to the charges.

Advertisement

Consequently, the prosecutor reviewed the facts of the charges, and urged the court sentence them in accordance to section 274(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015.

The prosecutor also pleaded with the court to release the prohibited drug to his agency for destruction if there is appeal against the judgment after the stipulated period.

Most especially, the prosecutor u ged the court to confiscate the second convict’s international passport to the federal government of Nigeria.

But the convicts’ lawyer, Okon, pleaded with the court to tamper justice with mercy in sentencing his clients, whom he said are first time convicts, who did not have previous conviction record.

Advertisement

The lawyer, also appealed to court to consider fine option in lieu of the custodian sentence.

Justice Lewis-Allagoa in his judgment, sentence each of the convicts to a year in each of the counts.

The judge however ordered each of the defendants to pay the sum of N300, 000, 00, in lieu of the jail-term. While also ordered that the International Passport be released to the second convict, after serving the jail-term or paying the fine option.

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Advertisement

Metro

Gunmen storm University of Benin teaching hospital, kill doctor

Published

on

By

Unknown gunmen have reportedly shot dead a doctor on duty at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) in Edo state.

The victim, simply identified as Dr. Alex, was said to be in the physiotherapy department inside the health facility when the tragic incident occurred.

Following the shooting, it was gathered that there was confusion in the hospital as healthy workers and patients scampered for safety.

The incident was said to have occurred on Friday, but became public knowledge after health workers protested the gruesome killing of their colleague inside the hospital facility.

The workers brandished various placards to register their displeasure over the incident.

The hospital’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Joshua Uwaila, confirmed the killing on Tuesday.

Uwaila said: “A physiotherapist with the University of Benin Teaching Hospital was shot dead on Friday.

“The authority of the hospital has reported the matter to the security agencies and are awaiting the outcome of their findings.”

Blueprint reports that the killing occurred amid renewed cult clashes between members of the notorious Black Axe and Maphites confraternity groups.

A member of the Edo State Security Corps, an Estate developer and three others are said to have been feared dead between Thursday and Monday.

The Edo state police spokesman, CSP. Moses Yamu, was yet to respond to the developments as at the time of filing this report.

Meanwhile, the Edo state governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has expressed deep concern over the resurgence of cult-related violence in some parts of the state .

In a statement issued by his apecial adviser on Media and Publicity, Bugie Okhuemoi, the governor directed security agencies to move in decisively against papetrators.

The statement noted, “The Governor had made it abundantly clear that the State would no longer tolerate the senseless killing of our youths and the destabilization of our communities.

“Regrettably, recent developments indicate that some individuals and groups have chosen to defy that understanding.

“This administration remains unshaken in its commitment to rid Edo State of cultism, criminality, and all threats to peace and order.

“We urge all law-abiding residents to remain calm and continue with their daily activities.

“The security agencies are fully mobilised and working around the clock to restore and maintain peace.”

Continue Reading

Metro

FCTA destroys 601 motorbikes over violations

Published

on

By

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has destroyed 601 impounded motorcycles in Abuja, in a move to reinforce traffic regulations and address security concerns.

Mandate Secretary for Transport in FCTA, Dr. Elechi Chinedum, explained that the exercise carried out on Tuesday by the Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS) was in compliance with the regulation of the FCT.

“The most recent regulation, effective from January 1, 2023, was signed into law by the immediate-past administration of Mohammed Bello. Using motorbikes in certain areas is against the law, and today we are here to enforce that,” the mandate secretary said.

Chinedum emphasised the importance of following the law, saying, “All laws are made, and people take it upon themselves to violate the law. Initially, it was about aesthetics for the FCT, but now it concerns security and criminality. The DRTS is here to enforce regulations and ensure safety.

“If you have a motorcycle at home, we’re not coming after you. However, if you bring it into a prohibited area, we will impound it. We will continue to enforce the law, and if there are defaulters, we will be relentless,” he said.

The head of DRTS, Dr Abdulateef Bello, also highlighted the ongoing ban on commercial motorcycles initiated in 2006 as a measure to curb traffic abuses.

“This exercise supports the existing ban on the use of commercial motorcycles in the Federal Capital City,” he said. Adding, “Today, we are sending a message to those still investing in this business: think twice, as we will continue to impound and crush motorcycles forfeited by the court”.

Assistant Commissioner of Police, Operations, FCT Command, Mode Magawata, stressed the criminal implications associated with motorcycles.

“We cannot fold our hands. These motorcycles are often used in crimes, including armed robbery and kidnappings.

“The minister emphasises that there should be no motorcycles in restricted areas, and we are here to ensure that the law is enforced,” Magawata said.

Continue Reading

Metro

Man commits suicide after wife’s death in Niger

Published

on

By

A young man identified as Stephen Moses has reportedly committed suicide after the death of his youngest wife in Ikumi Village, Shako District, Gurara Local Government Area, Niger State,

Sources told Daily Trust that Stephen, 30, had battled mental and emotional health challenges since the death of his second wife in March this year.

Sources said he had constantly stated that he could not have a comfortable life without his late wife.

Daily Trust gathered that he used his dane gun with which he hunted to kill himself on his farm.

One of the sources said he left behind his first wife and two children.

Spokesperson for the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the incident to Daily Trust.

He said the incident happened on April 24, 2025.

According to him “On 24th April, 2025 at about 8pm, report received that one Stephen Moses 30yrs of Ikumi village via Shako District of Gawu-Babangida, Gurara LGA earlier around afternoon period shot himself on the chest with a Dane gun in his farm.

“Police operatives of Gawu-Babangida Div visited the scene, found a Dane gun and the body on the ground, corpse was taken to the hospital while preliminary findings revealed that the deceased was mourning the death of his wife who recently passed on, and has been threatening to commit suicide, and his relatives didn’t inform the Police for preventive measure”.

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2024 Naija Blitz News