Justice Musa Kakaki of the Federal High Court in Lagos has convicted and sentenced a widow, Henrietta Ezewuike, to two years in prison for unlawful possession and dealing in 1.3 kilograms of cocaine.
Justice Kakaki jailed the 50-year-old widow after she pleaded guilty to the one-count charge of illegal drug dealing brought against her by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The NDLEA arrested Ezewuike on August 21, 2025, at her home at 25 Mozibawo Street, Ago Palace Way, Lagos State.
The prosecutor, Buhari Abdullahi, had told the judge that the convict claimed to have inherited the drug business from her late husband, who passed away several years ago.
Abdullahi had also claimed that the offence violated Section 19 of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
Based on her guilty plea, the prosecutor presented the facts of the case and submitted various exhibits, including the seized drugs, statements, and forensic test results of the confiscated drugs.
He then urged the court to convict and sentence the convict based on her plea, the evidence presented, and in accordance with the applicable law.
However, the defence counsel urged the court to consider her status as a widow with children to support.
He also urged the court to show mercy in sentencing and consider an option of a fine instead of a custodial sentence.
In his judgment, Justice Kakaki sentenced her to two years in prison and ordered her to pay a fine of N6 million as an alternative to the custodial sentence.
