Lagos court jails man for marijuana trafficking and orders asset forfeiture
A Federal High Court in Lagos has sentenced Ibemesi Francis, also known as Chisco, to seven years in prison for trafficking a large quantity of marijuana. The court also ordered the final forfeiture of his cash, vehicles, and properties to the Federal Government of Nigeria. Justice Akintayo Aluko delivered the sentence after Francis pleaded guilty to the charges brought by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency. The assets forfeited include multiple vehicles, foreign currencies, and landed properties.
What happened
- Ibemesi Francis was convicted for trafficking 1,762.8 kilograms of cannabis sativa.
- The NDLEA arrested Francis at his residence in Okota, Lagos, where the drugs were recovered.
- The court sentenced him to seven years’ imprisonment, with an option of an N8 million fine.
- The judge ordered the final forfeiture of his cash, vehicles, and properties, including foreign currencies and several cars, to the Federal Government.
- Defence counsel argued against the forfeiture, but Justice Aluko ruled that the assets were proceeds of drug trafficking.
