The Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced a 76-year-old man, Francis Omofe, to a total of 25 years in prison for drug-related offences.
Omofe was arrested on June 18, 2024, in Abuja while transporting a large quantity of cannabis in a Nissan Frontier vehicle bearing a police number plate (NPF 558D). He was said to be conveying the drugs from Edo State to Kaduna State.
According to charges filed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Omofe, a resident of Goni Gora in Kaduna State, was found in possession of 340.8 kilograms of cannabis sativa along Kuje Road in Abuja. He was also charged with transporting 340.38 kilograms of the substance in the same vehicle.
The offences were said to violate provisions of the NDLEA Act.
Delivering judgment on Friday, Justice James Omotosho ruled that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt and found Omofe guilty on both counts.
Despite pleas for leniency, the judge said a strong sentence was necessary to serve as a deterrent. He noted that transporting such a large quantity of drugs—especially using a vehicle with a police plate—was a serious offence, particularly given concerns about the role of illicit substances in fueling violence in parts of the country.
Omofe was sentenced to 15 years in prison on the first count without the option of a fine. On the second count, the judge reduced a life sentence to 25 years, also without the option of a fine, taking into account the defendant’s age.
The court ordered that both sentences run concurrently from the date of his arrest, June 18, 2024, meaning he will serve a total of 25 years in prison.
