A 32-year-old Nigerian national, Pascal Okafor Ezugwu, has been sentenced to a 10-year prison term by the High Court in Accra for attempting to smuggle 90 thumb-sized cocaine pellets weighing 1.54 kg.
On Friday, May 3, 2024, Mr. Okafor Ezugwu was sentenced to a minimum of 10 years in hard labor and fined ten thousand penalty units. In the event of default, he will serve an additional three years in prison. The court also ordered the destruction of the exhibit, which will be supervised by all interested stakeholders, including the court registrar, state prosecutors, and defense counsel.
Mr. Okafor Ezugwu was arrested on Wednesday, February 21, 2024, by officers of the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) at the Kotoka International Airport while going through pre-boarding formalities to board a flight to Hanoi, Vietnam. A urine test revealed traces of narcotic substances, and he later expelled 90 thumb-sized pellets during observation by officers. A field test proved positive for cocaine.
He was charged with three counts of narcotic offenses relating to unlawful possession, attempted exportation of narcotic drugs, and money laundering. Mr. Ezugwu pleaded guilty to all three counts and was convicted on his own plea.
NACOC reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the public from the trafficking and use of illicit drugs, ensuring public safety. The Commission emphasized that the possession, usage, and transportation of illegal drugs without lawful authorization remain prohibited under sections 40(1) and 41(1) of Act 1019 of the Narcotics Control Commission Act 2020, and urges the public to be aware of the consequences and risks associated with such activities.
