NDLEA decries judges’ attitude to drug offenders
AUGUST 17, 2015 : TONY OKAFOR
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The Anambra State Command of the National Drug Law
Enforcement Agency has said the attitude of some judges is not
helping matters in the crusade against drug offenders.
The state Commander of the agency, Mr. Sule Momodu, stated
this on Sunday in Awka, the state capital, in a chat with our
correspondent.
He said some judges treat drug matters before them with levity.
Quoting the NDLEA Act, he said most drug offences were
punishable by 15 to 25 years jail terms upon conviction. But he
regretted that some judges often pass sentences far below
these for convicted offenders.
He added that in some cases, the agency would pass through
excruciating moments to arrest some drug offenders, only to
see such people granted court bails shortly.
Momodu said the war against illicit drug should be everybody’s
concern, noting that every criminality would always begin with
drug abuse.
The NDLEA boss said the command impounded 133.4
kilogrammes of cannabis sativa from one Chidiebere Mnezie,
who masqueraded as a trader at the Onitsha Main Market in
July.
He said Mnezi was now helping the agency.
He gave the names of three other suspects in the agency’s net
as Izuchukwu Obi, Patrick Ohanazoeze, and Chigozie Ogaze.
He said a total of 150.535 kilogrammes of drugs were
impounded in the state in the month of July, while the agency
secured two convictions at the Federal High Court on drug
offenders in the same month.
He listed the unit drugs as cocaine, heroin and cannabis sativa.
Momodu explained that the drugs were brought into the state
mostly through the River Niger.
While commending the state Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, for
his assistance to the command, Momodu urged him to fulfil his
promise of providing the agency with speed boats to enable it
patrol the waterways in the area, saying the agency’s four boats
had grounded.
Copyright PUNCH. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital
content on this website, may not be reproduced, published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior
express written permission from PUNCH.
Contact: editor@punchng.com
Leave a Comment
The Anambra State Command of the National Drug Law
Enforcement Agency has said the attitude of some judges is not
helping matters in the crusade against drug offenders.
The state Commander of the agency, Mr. Sule Momodu, stated
this on Sunday in Awka, the state capital, in a chat with our
correspondent.
He said some judges treat drug matters before them with levity.
Quoting the NDLEA Act, he said most drug offences were
punishable by 15 to 25 years jail terms upon conviction. But he
regretted that some judges often pass sentences far below
these for convicted offenders.
He added that in some cases, the agency would pass through
excruciating moments to arrest some drug offenders, only to
see such people granted court bails shortly.
Momodu said the war against illicit drug should be everybody’s
concern, noting that every criminality would always begin with
drug abuse.
The NDLEA boss said the command impounded 133.4
kilogrammes of cannabis sativa from one Chidiebere Mnezie,
who masqueraded as a trader at the Onitsha Main Market in
July.
He said Mnezi was now helping the agency.
He gave the names of three other suspects in the agency’s net
as Izuchukwu Obi, Patrick Ohanazoeze, and Chigozie Ogaze.
He said a total of 150.535 kilogrammes of drugs were
impounded in the state in the month of July, while the agency
secured two convictions at the Federal High Court on drug
offenders in the same month.
He listed the unit drugs as cocaine, heroin and cannabis sativa.
Momodu explained that the drugs were brought into the state
mostly through the River Niger.
While commending the state Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, for
his assistance to the command, Momodu urged him to fulfil his
promise of providing the agency with speed boats to enable it
patrol the waterways in the area, saying the agency’s four boats
had grounded.
Copyright PUNCH. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital
content on this website, may not be reproduced, published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior
express written permission from PUNCH.
Contact: editor@punchng.com
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