Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa of the Federal High Court, Lagos today convicted a drug dealer, Musa Abdul, in absentia, the trial judge also issued a Bench warrant for his arrest.
The drug trafficker , was arraigned before the court by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on one count-charge of unlawful exportation of 117 grams of cocaine, sometimes in February 2022.
During his trial, the prosecutor, Mr. Abu Ibrahim, told the court that the defendant was arrested with the banned drug on January 8, 2021, during the outward clearance of Cargo to India at SACHO Export Shed of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos
Abu told the court that the offence commited by the defendant contravened Section 11(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
The convict however, denied the allegation and was admitted to bail in various terms and conditions.
However, midway into the trial, the convict was no where to be found till the closing of prosecution’s case against him.
Upon conclusion of prosecution’s case the prosecutor asked the court for an order foreclosing the defendant, due to his failure to defend the charge against him.
The court consequently foreclosed the defendant and adjourned till today for judgment.
At the resumed hearing of the matter today, the prosecutor, Mr. Abu, while citing several authorities, asked the court to convict defendant in accordance with the section of the law he was charged with.
The prosecutor also urged the court to make a consequential order, declaring the convict wanted.
Justice Lewis-Allagoa in his judgment, upheld the prosecutor’s request and convict the defendant as well as declare him wanted.
