A Federal High Court in Lagos has sentenced a 41-year-old Canadian woman, Adrienne Munju, to 11 years in prison for importing 74 parcels of “Canadian Loud,” a potent strain of synthetic cannabis, weighing 35.20 kilograms into Nigeria.
The conviction, which took place on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, follows Munju’s arraignment on two counts by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
According to a statement from Femi Babafemi, NDLEA spokesman, Munju was apprehended at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) on October 3, 2024, during the clearance of passengers arriving on a KLM flight.
After her arrest, Munju claimed she had been recruited online to traffic the drugs for 10,000 Canadian dollars, which she needed to fund her master’s degree in Canada.
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Justice Dehinde Dipeolu convicted Munju after she pleaded guilty to the charges against her. Barrister Abu Ibrahim, the prosecuting counsel, informed the court that her actions violated sections 20(1)(a) and 19 of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act (NDLEA) Cap N30, punishable under Section 20(2)(a) of the same law.
During the proceedings, the prosecutor presented evidence, including the suitcases containing the drugs, Munju’s Canadian passport, confessional statements, and laboratory test results, all admitted as exhibits.
Following the review of facts and the guilty plea, Justice Dipeolu sentenced Munju to six years on one count and five years on the other. The judge offered an alternative of N50 million fine for each count, totaling N100 million.
The charges read:
- Importation Charge: “That you Adrienne Munju, on or about October 3, 2024, unlawfully imported 35.20 kilograms of Cannabis Sativa, also known as ‘Canadian Loud’, at the MMIA, Ikeja, Lagos, contrary to Section 20(1)(a) and punishable under Section 20(2)(a) of the NDLEA Act.”
- Possession Charge: “That you Adrienne Munju, on or about October 3, 2024, knowingly possessed 35.20 kilograms of Cannabis Sativa at the MMIA without lawful authority, contrary to Section 19 of the NDLEA Act.”
Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, commended the MMIA Strategic Command for their efforts in the investigation and prosecution of the case. He stated that the swift conviction and severe penalty serve as a strong warning to potential drug traffickers contemplating similar actions in Nigeria.