The General Overseer of the Seraphic and Sabbath Assembly located in Lagos State, Priest Azuka Kenrick Nnodu, has been convicted for drug-related offences by the Federal High Court in Lagos. Two other individuals were also convicted in the same case.
It should be noted that Azuka Kenrick was apprehended by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in February.
The general overseer, including a member of the clergy and a student of Emmanuel College of Theology, Samanda, Ibadan, by the names of Udezuka Udoka and Oyoyo Mary Obasi, were apprehended due to their involvement in an alleged scheme to export methamphetamine and skunk concealed within kegs of palm oil through the NAHCO export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja Lagos to Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
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The three individuals were brought before the NDLEA and charged with conspiracy, procurement of individuals for the purpose of unlawfully exporting controlled substances, unlawful exportation of 14.90 kilogrammes of Cannabis Sativa and 204 grammes of Methamphetamine, and unlawful possession of said controlled substances.
On Friday, Justice Akintayo Aluko convicted Nnodu (58) and his co-defendants, Udezuka Udoka (26) and Oyoyo Mary Obasi (40), after they pleaded “guilty” to a six-count charge.
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According to Abu Ibrahim, the prosecution counsel, the defendants are accused of committing the aforementioned offences on February 9, 2023, in collaboration with Chisom, who is currently at large.
According to Ibrahim’s testimony in court, the defendants were apprehended in possession of the drugs at the NAHCO Export Shed, which serves as a Customs Point at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Ikeja, Lagos.
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According to the prosecution counsel’s statement in court, the alleged offences are in violation of Sections 14(b), 21(2)(d), and 20(1)(a) of the NDLEA Act of 2004, and are subject to punishment under Sections 11(b) and 20(2)(a) of the same Act.
Each of the defendants entered a plea of guilty.
Ibrahim examined the details of the case and recommended that the court find the defendants guilty and impose a sentence in accordance with the NDLEA Act, based on their plea.
However, Chief Benson Ndakara, the counsel for the defendants, expressed surprise at their admission of guilt. He stated that he was caught off guard by their change of stance, especially after having expended additional effort and time to prepare and submit their respective bail applications.
After convicting the three individuals, Justice Aluko has postponed the delivery of the verdict to an undisclosed date.
