JAMES GAMBO ABUNDAGA, JCA (Delivering the Leading Judgement): This is an appeal against part of the decision of the Federal High Court in Charge No. FHC/ASB/21C/2016 delivered on 6th December, 2022 by Hon. Justice Okon E. Abang (as he then was, now JCA).
Brief Statement of Facts
The appellant and 8 others were arraigned on a charge for offences bordering on conspiracy to form and operate Drug Trafficking Organisation, Extraction, Manufacturing and exploitation of illicit drugs under Sections 14(b), 20(1)(a)(g) and 11(d) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, Cap. N39, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
The appellant initially pleaded not guilty to the charge and was remanded at the Nigerian Correctional Centre.
However, on 22nd September, 2022 before another judge who commenced the matter de novo, the appellant took a fresh plea in line with the Administration of Criminal Justice Act. The appellant who was charged on a three counts charge pleaded guilty to the three counts.…