Clearing Agent Bags 10-Year Jail for Importing Tramadol

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos State has convicted and sentenced a clearing agent, Cyril Ogunna, to 10 years’ imprisonment for unlawful importation of 657.5 kilogrammes of tramadol.

Justice Daniel Osiagor handed down the jail term on Friday after the convict pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy and unlawful importation of tramadol preferred against him by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.

The NDLEA prosecutor, Mrs Lily Wifa-Aranyeli, told the court that Ogunna was arrested with the drug on December 1, 2021, at ESS Libra, Bonded Terminal, Ikorodu, Lagos, which was unlawfully brought into the country from India.

The convict did not deny the allegations, as he pleaded guilty to the charges.

Following his plea, the prosecutor urged the court to sentence him.

But his counsel, Mr. G. O. Okaka, urged the court to temper justice with mercy.

Justice Osiagor sentenced the convict to 10 years’ imprisonment.

The judge, however, gave him a fine option of N500,000, in lieu of the jail term.

He also ordered that the seized tramadol be destroyed.