Francis Omofe, a 76-year-old grandfather, has been sentenced to 40 years’ imprisonment for drug-related offences.

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, in a judgment, held that the prosecution had been able to prove the two-count charge preferred against Mr Omofe beyond a reasonable doubt.

“Consequently, he is hereby convicted as charged,” he ruled.

Mr Omotosho held that, despite the plea for mercy, punishment must be imposed to serve as a deterrent in the national interest.

The judge held that he took judicial notice that the defendant’s action of transporting a huge and commercial quantity of cannabis with a vehicle, using a police number plate, to the northern region, particularly Kaduna State, where terrorists and bandits had killed a number of innocent Nigerians under the influence of such substance, was unacceptable.

The judge therefore sentenced Mr Omofe to 15 years’ imprisonment in count one, without the option of a fine.

Considering the defendant’s age, Mr Omotosho reduced the life imprisonment for count two to 25 years jail term, without the option of a fine.

The judge also ordered that the sentences shall run concurrently from June 18, 2024, the date of his arrest.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) had, in the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/286/2024, named Mr Omofe as the sole defendant.

The septuagenarian was said to have been arrested in Abuja on June 18, 2024, in a Nissan Frontier Vehicle with police force number plate: NPF 558D, while transporting the substance from Edo to Kaduna State.

In count one, Mr Omofe of Goni Gora, Kaduna State, was accused of possessing 340.8 kilogrammes of cannabis sativa, a narcotic substance, on or about June 18, 2024, along Kuje Road in Abuja.

The offence is said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 19 of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, CAP N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

The NDLEA, in count two, accused him of transporting 340.38 kilogrammes of cannabis sativa, a narcotic substance, in a Nissan Frontier, with Registration No: NPF 558D, on or about June 18, 2024, along Kuje Road in Abuja.

The prosecution said the offence is contrary to and punishable under Section 11(p) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, CAP N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

(NAN)