Categories: CRIME

FedEx Dispatch Rider Jailed For Drug, Codeine Trafficking

OpenLife Nigeria reports that a dispatch rider with a foreign courier firm, FedEx, Mr. Anebi Linus, has been convicted and sentenced to two years imprisonment for trafficking in 3 kilograms of prohibited hard drug, by a Federal High Court, Lagos.
Also, a motor boy, Paul Nwagbara was also convicted and sentenced to 15 years for aiding in loading and transportation of 838 liters of Codeine.
Both the dispatch rider and the motor boy were convicted and given the jail-term by Justice Akintayo Aluko, after they pleaded guilty to a count charge made against each of them by the anti-narcotic agency, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
On the dispatch rider, the prosecutor, Barrister C. O. Izuagbe, informed the court that the convicted was arrested with the prohibited drug named ADB Chminaca (synthetic cannabinoid), a narcotic drug similar to cocaine, LSD and Heroin, on February 5, 2026 at Fedex office in Ikeja, Lagos.
The prosecutor told the court that the illegal act of the convict, contravened section 11(a) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act CAP N30 LFN 2004.
The charge against the convict reads: “that you, Anebi Linus, Adult, male, on or about the 5th day of February, 2026 at Fedex Ikeja, Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, without lawful authority imported 3kg of ADB Chminaca (synthetic cannabinoid), a narcotic drug similar to cocaine, LSD and Heroin and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 11(a) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act CAP N30 LFN 2004.”
The convict admitted committing the offence when the charge was read to him.
Following his guilty plea, the prosecutor reviewed the facts of the charge through an exhibit keeper, Fredrick Atoni, as well tendered all exhibits in the matter.
She thereafter prayed the court to convict and sentence the convict based on his plea, exhibits tendered and in accordance with section 274(2) of the Administration of the Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015.
However, the convict through his lawyer, pleaded with the court to tamper justice with mercy in sentencing her client.
The lawyer informed the court that the convict who is a father of two, had been sacked by his employer, FedEx. Adding that her client had promised not to engage in any illegal act.
The lawyer after stated some aggravated factors, prayed the court for a non-custodian sentence or fine option in alternative to the custodian sentence.
Upon listening to the counsel submissions, Justice Aluko in his judgment, sentenced the convict to two years imprisonment.
The judge however ordered the convict to pay the sum of N500, 000, as an option of fine in lieu of the jail-term.
On the convicted motor boy, the prosecutor, Barrister Peter Ekuri, informed the court that he was arrested on March 17, 2026, on third mainland bridge, Lagos, with the prohibited drug.
He told the court that the convict’s action contravened section 14(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
The convict pleaded guilty to the charge. And based to his plea, the prosecutor after reviewing the facts of the charge and tendering exhibit, he prayed the court to convict and sentence him in accordance with section of the NDLEA Act he was charged with.
But his lawyer, Augustine Nwagu pleaded with the court to be merciful to his client and grant him a non-custodian sentence in lieu of jail-term.
Justice Aluko in his judgment, after citing series of legal authorites, sentenced the convict to 15 years imprisonment, but ordered him to pay N500, 000, in lieu of the jail-term.
Charge against the motor boy reads: “that you Paul Nwagbara ‘m’ 48 years old, on or about the 17th day of March, 2026, at 3rd Mainland Bridge, Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, aided in the loading and transportation of 838 liters of Codeine, a Narcotic Drug similar to Cocaine, LSD and Heroin and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 14(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.”