Canadian National Sentenced to 11 Years Imprisonment for Importing Illicit Drugs into Nigeria
…Conviction serves as stern warning to traffickers, says NDLEA Chief Marwa
A Federal High Court in Lagos, Nigeria, has sentenced a 41-year-old Canadian woman, Adrienne Munju, to 11 years imprisonment for importing 74 parcels of synthetic cannabis, popularly known as ‘Canadian Loud’, into Nigeria.
The consignment, weighing 35.20 kilograms, was seized at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, during her arrival on a KLM flight on 3rd October 2024.
Munju was arraigned by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on a two-count charge before Justice Dehinde Dipeolu.
The court heard that she was apprehended by NDLEA officials during an inward clearance of passengers at Terminal 1, ‘D’ Arrival Hall of MMIA.
In her confession, Munju revealed that she had been recruited through an online platform to traffic the drugs for a sum of 10,000 Canadian dollars, which she intended to use to fund her ongoing master’s degree programme in Canada.
The court, presided over by Justice Dipeolu, sentenced Munju to six years imprisonment on the first count and five years on the second, totalling 11 years.
Additionally, the convict was given an option of a N50 million fine for each count, amounting to N100 million in total.
Prosecuting counsel Barrister Abu Ibrahim informed the court that Munju’s actions contravened Sections 20(1)(a) and 19 of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act (NDLEA) Cap N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, which is punishable under Section 20(2)(a) of the same Act.
The evidence presented in court included two suitcases used to conceal the drugs, Munju’s Canadian passport, her confessional statement, laboratory test results, and samples of the illicit substance. These exhibits were admitted into evidence, solidifying the prosecution’s case.
Assistant Superintendent of Narcotics, Angela Mba, testified during the proceedings, detailing the circumstances of Munju’s arrest and the concealment of the drugs.
Following her guilty plea and the presentation of evidence, the prosecution urged the court to convict Munju based on the overwhelming facts.
In his ruling, Justice Dipeolu reviewed the case and sentenced Munju accordingly.
The judge, however, noted that the fines provided an alternative to imprisonment, though the severity of the sentence was intended as a deterrent.
Reacting to the conviction, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), praised the swift work of the NDLEA officers involved in the arrest and prosecution, as well as the judiciary’s prompt handling of the case.
He stated that the conviction and the stiff penalty would serve as a strong warning to other traffickers and individuals considering smuggling illicit substances into Nigeria.
“This conviction demonstrates our unwavering commitment to the fight against drug trafficking. It sends a clear message to drug traffickers, both foreign and local, that Nigeria will not be a safe haven for their illicit activities,” Marwa said.
In a statement signed by Femi Babafemi, Director, Media & Advocacy at the NDLEA, the Agency said the conviction of Munju is one of the significant victories in its ongoing battle against drug smuggling and affirms Nigeria’s zero-tolerance stance on drug-related crimes.
