Former Footballer Sentenced To Prison Over Drug Trafficking

Ex-footballer, Okafor Emmanuel Junior has been sentenced to 5 years imprisonment for alleged drug trafficking.

It was told of a Federal High Court in Lagos by a prosecutor, Augustine Nwagu, that the footballer was arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the arrival hall of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.

Emmanuel was arrested for the possession of  1.4 kilograms of cocaine upon arrival from Brazil on September 26, 2022.

The offense contravened section 11(a) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and is punishable under the same Act.

He pleaded guilty, charging the prosecutor to ask the court to sentence him per the section of the law he was charged with.

His lawyer, Dennis Warri, however, pleaded with the court to tamper justice with mercy in sentencing him as he has become remorseful since he was arrested and vowed not to get involved in crime.

Making the final judgment, Justice Nicholas Oweibo slammed Emmanuel, with five years imprisonment, starting from the date of his arrest.

He was also given an option of a N1million fine instead of the jail terms.