In a significant legal development, the Federal High Court in Lagos has sentenced 40-year-old American-trained Nollywood filmmaker, Mbadiwe Emeka, to five years imprisonment for trafficking 17.30 kilograms of “Canada Loud,” a potent strain of Cannabis Sativa. The judgment was delivered by Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, following Emeka’s guilty plea to two counts of unlawful importation of the narcotic substance, as charged by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Arrest and Charges
Emeka’s arrest occurred on December 24, 2024, during an examination of incoming cargo at the National Handling Company Import Shed, located within the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja, Lagos State. The NDLEA’s prosecution counsel, Abu Ibrahim, informed the court that Emeka had enlisted the assistance of one Uzoekwe Ugochukwu James to facilitate the importation of the banned substance. The offenses contravened Sections 21(1)(e) and are punishable under Sections 11(a), 20(1)(a), and 20(2)(a) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
Upon arraignment, Emeka pleaded guilty to the charges. In response, the prosecution reviewed the case facts and presented all relevant exhibits to the court. Emeka’s legal counsel, Dennis Warri, appealed for leniency, highlighting his client’s prompt guilty plea as an indication of remorse and a desire not to waste the court’s time. Warri requested either a non-custodial sentence or a fine in lieu of imprisonment. After considering the submissions, Justice Lewis-Allagoa sentenced Emeka to five years imprisonment but provided an option for the convict to pay a fine of N3 million as an alternative to serving the jail term. Additionally, the court ordered the forfeiture of the seized narcotics and an iPhone 12 Pro Max to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Background and Implications
Emeka’s arrest and subsequent conviction have garnered significant attention, given his profile as a U.S.-trained filmmaker involved in both Hollywood and Nollywood productions. The NDLEA’s apprehension of Emeka took place in his Lekki hotel room on December 27, 2024, following the earlier arrest of his associate, Uzoekwe Ugochukwu James, at a warehouse in Ajao Estate, Ikeja. James was detained while attempting to collect a shipment of 33 parcels of “Loud,” weighing 17.30 kilograms, which had arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport from the United States on December 24, 2024. The illicit substance was concealed within large wooden boxes.
This case underscores the NDLEA’s ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking within Nigeria, particularly involving individuals who exploit their professional status to facilitate illegal activities. The agency continues to emphasize its commitment to enforcing drug laws and ensuring that offenders, regardless of their social or professional standing, are brought to justice.
For more detailed information, you can refer to the official report by Punch Newspapers.
