An official of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Ibrahim Muazzam, has been sentenced to seven years in prison by a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.
Muazzam, an Assistant Superintendent of Narcotics, was on Thursday, convicted of facilitating the smuggling of 3.7 kilogrammes of heroin outside the country.
PUNCH Metro learnt that the dismissed officer had sometime in 2009 aided a suspected drug baron, Eni Itu, who is still at large, to export the drug which was discovered at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
Our correspondent gathered that the level eight officer was off duty on the fateful day and had gone to the airport to check-in a bag belonging to the wanted suspect when he was arrested.
Following his arrest, Muazzam was reportedly referred to the disciplinary committee of the agency who found him guilty of the act and recommended he be dismissed.
Meanwhile, Itu who was to travel with the luggage containing the drug refused to show up having got wind of Muazzam’s arrest.
While delivering the judgement, Justice Balikisu Aliyu said it was sad that an officer who was paid by the government to arrest drug traffickers was aiding them to perpetrate the criminal act.
The defendant, who pleaded not guilty to the two counts of aiding and conspiracy preferred against, was however, exonerated of the latter charge which could not be proved.
“Although the NDLEA was unable to prove the case of conspiracy against the accused, the court is convinced that there is enough evidence before the court to convict him on the grounds of aiding and abetting. The accused is therefore sentenced to seven years imprisonment,” she said.
The Chairman of the agency, Mr. Ahmadu Giade, described the action of Ibrahim as unprofessional and shameful.
He said, “The conduct of Ibrahim Muazzam is unprofessional and must not be condoned. As soon as the case was reported, it was referred to the senior disciplinary committee of the NDLEA who found him guilty and recommended him for dismissal. The decision to prosecute him was in line with the NDLEA rules of engagement.”
Giade added that the fight against corruption would only be complete when addressed from both within and outside the NDLEA.