Loud Whispers

Two Brazilians, Lima Pereira Diego, and Dias DOS Santos Marcia Cristina, were yesterday convicted at the Federal High Court in Lagos by Justice Mojisola Olatoregun for bringing into Nigeria 23.895 kilograms of Cocaine.

The judge handed down the decision after the convicts pleaded guilty of bringing into Nigeria 23.895 kilograms of Cocaine in the charge made against them by the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

It would be recalled that the convicted drug pushers had earlier been docked by the NDLEA, specifically on April 26, 2017, on a three-count charge that hinges on conspiracy and unlawful importation of the said narcotic.

But the convicts had refused to take their plea on the reason that they do not have confidence in the interpreter, one Mr. Adeniran O, provided for them by their country’s diplomatic service.

During today’s proceedings on the case, and while addressing the judge, counsel to the NDLEA, Abu Ibrahim, had notified the judge of the NDLEA’s intention to have the matter withdrawn against the Brazilians.

As a result, the convicts were then arraigned on a charge of unlawful importation of the said prohibited drug.

According to the NDLEA, the offence violates the provision of under section11 (a) of the NDLEA Act Cap N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.