Court Jails Drug Traffickers, Forfeits Vehicles Used For Cannabis Smuggling

Justice Ayokunle Faji of the Federal High Court in Lagos has convicted and sentenced two drug traffickers, Charles Momoh and Mohammed Umar, to various prison terms after finding them guilty of illegal dealings in illicit drugs.

Justice Faji imprisoned Momoh and Umar on two separate charges involving the unlawful importation and possession of prohibited narcotic substances brought against them by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

In the first case, Momoh was arraigned in Charge FHC/L/766C/2024 over the unlawful importation of 51.25 kilograms of cannabis sativa concealed inside a 2015 Hyundai Accent and a 2010 Hyundai Sonata.

He initially pleaded not guilty at arraignment, prompting the prosecution to open its case on 26 May 2025.

During the trial, NDLEA counsel, Adekunle Adebajo, tendered several exhibits before the court.

However, when the matter resumed on 20 July 2026, Charles changed his plea to guilty after part of the prosecution’s case had been presented.

The court subsequently convicted him.

In sentencing, Justice Faji noted that the offence carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment under Section 11(b) of the NDLEA Act.

Applying the Federal High Court Sentencing Guidelines, the judge adopted a starting sentence of 10 years as the quantity of drugs constituted a presumptive commercial quantity.

He increased the sentence by one year because the drugs were concealed in two vehicles.

The court, however, reduced the sentence considering that the convict was a first-time offender and had been diagnosed with serious medical conditions, including alcoholic liver cirrhosis and hepatitis.

Justice Faji also granted him a 50 per cent reduction for pleading guilty, noting that the plea saved valuable judicial time.

The court consequently sentenced Charles to four years and six months’ imprisonment, effective from 11 September 2024.

Justice Faji also ordered the forfeiture of the two Hyundai vehicles used to convey the illicit drugs to the federal government as instruments of the crime.

In the second case, Umar was arraigned in Charge FHC/LAG/CR/345/2026 on a three-count charge concerning the unlawful possession of 521 grams of Tramadol 225mg, 64 grams of Diazepam, and 600 grams of Tramadol.

He pleaded guilty when he was arraigned on 2 July 2026.

Following the plea, NDLEA prosecutor Mike Erondu called an NDLEA operative, Ogar Muhammed, as a witness, reviewed the case facts, tendered exhibits, and urged the court to convict the defendant.

While delivering judgment, Justice Faji held that although the offences are punishable with life imprisonment under Section 11(c) of the NDLEA Act, the quantities involved fell within the category of presumptive non-commercial quantities, resulting in lower culpability under the sentencing guidelines.

The judge also considered Umar’s status as a first-time offender and his early guilty plea, granting him a 50 per cent sentencing discount.

He was consequently sentenced to six months and 15 days’ imprisonment on each of the three counts, with the sentences to run concurrently from 8 May 2026, the date he was first remanded in custody.