Nigerian sent to gallows‎ for drug trafficking

On March 27, the Alor Setar High Court sentenced a Nigeria national to death by hanging  after he was found guilty of drug trafficking two years ago.

Eric Oluigbo Chimeze, a thirty five year old businessman, was charged for trafficking 22.16 kgs of cannabis at the Napoh traffic light junction heading towards Bukit Kayu Hitam, Kubang Pasu, here at around 6.45am on September 1, 2010.

In meting out the sentence, Judicial Commissioner, Mohd Zaki Abdul Wahab, said in his judgment that the defense had failed to raise a reasonable doubt in arguing that the luggage bag containing the drugs was placed in the taxi booth by some other person.

This, Judicial Commissioner, Mohd Zaki Abdul Wahab, said, was in contradiction to the sworn statement made by the prosecution witness stating that the accused was seen helping in putting the luggage bag into the taxi booth.

Eric was calm when the judgment was read out.

Deputy Public Prosecutor, Noor Fadzila Ishak prosecuted while the accused was represented lawyer B. Murthy.

Eric was charged under Section 39B (2) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 and was found guilty under Section 39B (1) (a) of the same act which carries with the mandatory death sentence.