A Nigerian national based in Brazil, Ernest Nnajuiba Ukechukwu, has been sentenced to 10 years imprisonment by an Accra High court for possession and attempted smuggling of cocaine into Ghana.
The cocaine, weighing 16568.83 grams, was intercepted by officials of the Narcotics Control
Commission at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA).
He was sentenced to a minimum of 10 years in hard labour and charged with a fine of ten
thousand penalty units, of which he will serve three additional years in default. The sentence is expected to run concurrently.
Mr Ukechukwu was arrested by NACOC officials at the arrival hall of the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) on 11 December 2022 when he was going through arrival formalities.
Officials picked him up as part of their daily routine when his narrations were found to be
distorting, leading to further checks on his luggage and revealing the concealed
consignment in his luggage.
Mr Ukechukwu was arrested by officers of the Narcotics Control Commission and charged
with six counts of narcotic offences relating to importation and possession of narcotic drugs, without lawful authority.
He was arraigned before the Criminal Court Division of the Accra High Court, where he
pleaded guilty to all six counts and was consequently convicted on his plea by the court
presided over by Her Lordship Mary Ekue Yanzuh.
The Court also ordered the destruction of the exhibit which was carried out the same day by the investigators of NACOC in the presence of the court Registrar, State prosecutors and the defense counsel.
The Commission, in a statement signed by Francis Opoku Amoah, Acting Director, Public
Affairs and International Relations, reiterated its commitment to upholding its mandate to
protect the public from the trade and usage of illegal narcotics to maintain public safety.
The Commission said, “the possession, use and transportation of illicit drugs without lawful
authorization are still illegal and punishable under sections 40 (1) and 41 (1) of the
Narcotics Control Commission Act 2020, (Act 1019).”
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