Court jails Nigerian in drugs case, orders deportation

A Nigerian national has been jailed for 18 months for possessing cocaine by a Delhi court which also ordered his deportation after the sentence for illegally staying in India.
Special NDPS Judge Shail Jain convicted Okechukwu under the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and the Foreigners Act, however, took a "lenient view" while sentencing him considering his young age and family circumstances.
"Prosecution has proved its case beyond reasonable doubt... There is nothing on record to conclude that Okechukwu had a valid visa to stay in India. Accordingly accused is convicted under the NDPS Act and the Foreigners Act," the judge said.

Okechukwu, who was found carrying 60 grams of cocaine, was sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for one year, six months and four days for the offences punishable under the NDPS Act and the Foreigners Act by the court which also imposed a fine of Rs 20,000 on him.
The court directed the police to hand him over to the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) for his deportation once he serves the jail term.
"It is further directed that after completion of the sentence, the convict shall be handed over to FRRO authorities, being a Nigerian national, along with all his belongings for the purpose of deportation as per rules," the judge said.

Okechukwu, in his statement before the court, admitted to have possessed the drug.

According to the prosecution, the Narcotics Cell of the Delhi Police got a tip-off that Okechukwu was involved in illegal trade of narcotic drugs and on November 9, 2012 he would come near Indraprastha College in North Delhi to supply cocaine.
On receiving the information, the officers of the raiding party laid a trap and nabbed him with the help of an informer and he was found possessing cocaine.
The prosecution submitted in the court that he was also found to be living in India without legal documents and he was arrested.

While praying for leniency at the time of sentencing, Okechukwu, through his counsel, had submitted that he was young and has to look after his aged mother as he was the sole bread earner of the family.