Canada returnee bags 11-year jail over cannabis trade

A Federal High Court in Lagos has sentenced a Canada returnee, Abimbola Daniel, to 11 years in prison for unlawfully importing and possessing 2.5 kilograms of cannabis. The sentencing occurred on Monday after Daniel pleaded guilty to two charges filed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency. The charges, documented as FHC/LAG/CR/609/2026, pertained to his unlawful importation and possession of the drug.

Prosecutors stated that Daniel brought the cannabis into Nigeria on an Ethiopian Airlines flight from Canada. The substance was concealed within cargo under waybill number 07161185795. Daniel's arrest occurred when he went to collect the consignment at Afriway Cargo and Logistics, a company assisting with clearance. The charges violated Sections 11(2) and 20(1) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, making them punishable under Section 20(2) of the Act.

Upon hearing the charges, Daniel admitted to committing the offenses and pleaded guilty. The defense argued for a lenient sentence, citing Daniel's early guilty plea and lack of prior criminal record. However, the court sentenced Daniel to five years for the first count and six years for the second, permitting him to serve the time in lieu of a N500,000 fine for the first count and a N600,000 fine for the second.