10 years' jail to Nigerian for possessing drugs

A Delhi court has awarded 10 years' jail term to a Nigerian national for possessing 100 grams of contraband and staying in India after his visa had expired.

The court, in an order delivered Friday, imposed a fine of Rs.1.10 lakh on Lekan Akins after holding him guilty under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and the Foreigners Act.

NDPS Special Judge Shail Jain said: "I am of the opinion that prosecution has proved its case that the accused (Akins) was found in possession of 100 grams of cocaine and he was apprehended while living in India after expiry of his visa."

Akins was arrested red-handed with 100 grams of cocaine from North Delhi. The police said they had received information that a foreigner was involved in the trade of drugs and on the basis of the tip-off, a raiding team was constituted and Akins apprehended.

Further probe disclosed that the accused was staying in India though his visa had expired.

During the trial, Akins claimed in court that he was falsely implicated in the case and nothing was recovered from his possession.