Turkey-Based Nigerian Man Sentenced to One Year in Prison for Attempted Drug Export

A Turkey-based Nigerian man, Anoke Kingsley Roomy, has been sentenced to one year in prison for attempting to export 600 grams of tramadol, a controlled substance, from Nigeria.

The Federal High Court in Lagos handed down the sentence on Thursday, December 19, 2024, after Roomy pleaded guilty to the charges filed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

Justice Akintayo Aluko convicted Roomy, following his guilty plea to the offense. The prosecution revealed that Roomy was arrested on November 15, 2024, during passenger screening at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Ikeja.

At the time, he was attempting to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight from Lagos to Turkey via Addis Ababa. Upon inspection, the authorities discovered the tramadol in his possession.

The prosecutor, Abu Ibrahim, explained that the offense violated Section 11(b) of the NDLEA Act, which governs drug trafficking in Nigeria, and is punishable under the same law.

In his defense, Roomy’s lawyer, Augustine Nwagu, appealed for leniency, highlighting that his client was a first-time offender and had expressed remorse for his actions.

Nwagu argued that the tramadol, purchased for N40,000, was meant for personal use, not trafficking.

Despite the defense’s plea, Justice Aluko sentenced Roomy to 12 months in prison.

The judge also ordered the forfeiture of Roomy’s Nigerian passport to the Nigerian Immigration Service and mandated the destruction of the drug exhibits if no appeal was filed within the designated time frame.

In addition, Roomy was given the option to pay a fine of N300,000 instead of serving the prison term.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the severe penalties associated with drug trafficking offenses in Nigeria.