A Lagos businessman, Nnamani Sunday Sunny, has been sentenced to four years in prison for attempting to smuggle 800 grams of cannabis into the United Kingdom. The sentencing took place at the Federal High Court in Lagos on November 18, 2024.

Sunny, 36, was arrested on August 10, 2024, during an inspection at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos. Customs officials found the illegal drugs hidden inside packs of Chikki Noodles. Sunny had planned to have another person, Nwajideopi Samson, assist with sending the cannabis abroad.

The court heard that Sunny’s actions violated Nigeria’s drug laws. He pleaded guilty to the charges and was convicted under sections of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act. Despite his guilty plea, Sunny’s lawyer requested a lenient sentence, asking the judge to consider a fine due to Sunny being a first-time offender.

However, Justice Ayokunle Faji rejected the request for a fine and sentenced Sunny to two years in prison for each count, with the sentences to run at the same time. The judge emphasized the importance of upholding the law and sending a clear message about the seriousness of drug trafficking.