2020 drugs case: Convicted Nigerian to be deported

Panaji: A Mapusa court convicted Nigerian national Sopuruchi Nlewedim Moses in a 2020 narcotics case after he pleaded guilty, and sentenced him to imprisonment of four years and six months. He was caught red-handed with 510g of ganja and 8.1g of cocaine worth Rs 1.3 lakh during a narcotic raid in Aug 2020 at Girkarwado, Arambol.

The court took into consideration that he already suffered imprisonment of more than four years and six months during the pendency of the trial and that there is no minimum sentence prescribed for involvement of a quantity lesser than commercial quantity but greater than small quantity under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985.

“In the backdrop of the above, and considering the peculiar facts of the present case, I find that no purpose shall be served in detaining the accused further as he already suffered the ordeal in the present case. Hence, the period of detention undergone by the accused is to be set off against the sentence of imprisonment imposed,” stated additional sessions judge-2, Mapusa, Ram Subrai Prabhu Dessai.

The court directed that he be lodged in a detention centre in Goa and further directed the investigating officer and FRRO to take all necessary steps to deport him to his country after the appeal period is over.

As he intended to plead guilty, the charges against him were explained and re-explained along with the consequences of pleading guilty. He was offered time for reflection to reconsider his plea. He, however, stated that he fully understood the consequences of pleading guilty and that his plea is clear, voluntary, unequivocal, well-informed, and under legal advice, and that he doesn’t require any time for reflection.


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