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A 32-year-old Nigerian, Pascal Okafor Ezugwu, has been handed a 10-year prison sentence by an Accra High Court after being convicted of attempting to smuggle 90 thumb-sized cocaine pellets, weighing a total of 1.54 kg.
On May 3, 2024, Okafor Ezugwu received the sentence which includes hard labor and a fine of ten thousand penalty units. Failure to pay the fine will result in an additional three-year prison term.
The court has also mandated the destruction of the seized cocaine, with the process to be supervised by all relevant stakeholders, including the court registrar, state prosecutors, and the defense counsel.
Okafor Ezugwu was apprehended on February 21, 2024, by officers of the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) at Kotoka International Airport. He was detained during pre-boarding procedures while attempting to board a flight to Hanoi, Vietnam. A urine test conducted at the airport detected traces of narcotic substances, leading to his detention. Subsequently, Mr. Ezugwu expelled 90 thumb-sized pellets which tested positive for cocaine.
Charged with three counts of narcotic offenses—unlawful possession, attempted exportation of narcotic drugs, and money laundering, Mr. Ezugwu pleaded guilty to all charges. The Criminal Court Division of the Accra High Court convicted him based on his plea.
