Cape Verdean woman jailed 6 months for drug importation

Akin Kuponiyi

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A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos today sentenced a Cape Verde woman, Rosangela Homes Gonclaves, to six months imprisonment for importing two kilograms of cocaine into Nigeria.‬
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The convict, was arrested with the prohibited substance by men of National Drug Laws and Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA), at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, on July 21,2013, while her alleged partner in crime, one Olua Uguru Christopher, is said to be at large.‬
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The convict, was first arraigned before the court on November 12, 2013 but she pleaded not guilty to the charges leveled against her by the anti-drug agency.‬

She however, changed her plea, upon re-arraignment today

Following her change of plea, she was re-arraigned on a two count charge of unlawful importation of the banned substance.‬

The offences committed, according to the NDLEA’s prosecutor, Mr. Fingere Odinneys, are contrary to and punishable under section 11(a) and 14(b) of the National Drug Laws and Enforcement Agency Act Cap. N 30, of the laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.‬
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Count one of the charge reads: “that you Rosangela Homes Gonclaves, female, adult, and Olua Uguru Christopher, male, adult (now at large) on or about July 21, 2013, at ‘E’ Arrival Hall, Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, without lawful authority, imported two kilogrammes of cocaine, and thereby committed an offence contrary and punishable under section 11(a) of the National Drug Laws and Enforcement Agency Act Cap. N 30, of the laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.”‬
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Upon the change of plea by the convict, and presentation of the facts of the case by the prosecution, the court found her guilty as charged.‬

However, the convict counsel, Mr. Okenyi Chris urged the court to be lenient in sentencing the convict.‬
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He told the court that the convict had been in the NDLEA detention since when she was arrested in 2013.‬

‪Consequently, in his judgement, Justice Saliu Saidu sentenced her to six (6) months imprisonment.