Canadian Woman Sentenced to 11 Years for Drug Importation in Nigeria

LAGOS, NIGERIA NEWS 247 – Adrienne Munju, a 41-year-old Canadian woman, was sentenced to 11 years in prison by a Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday for importing 74 parcels of Canadian Loud, a potent strain of synthetic cannabis. The total weight of the seized drugs was 35.20 kilograms.

Munju was apprehended on October 3, 2024, by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at Terminal 1 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport during routine checks of inbound passengers.

Following her arrest, Munju stated that she had been recruited to transport the illegal substances via an online platform, promising a reward of 10,000 Canadian dollars for successful delivery to Lagos. She admitted that her motivation for accepting the offer stemmed from her need for funds to support her ongoing Master’s degree program in Canada.

When presented before Justice Dehinde Dipeolu, Munju pleaded guilty to the two charges filed against her by the NDLEA. According to a statement from NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi, Prosecuting Counsel Barrister Ibrahim informed the court that Munju’s actions violated sections 20(1)(a) and 19 of the NDLEA Cap N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, which are punishable under Section 20(2)(a) of the same Act.

After hearing mitigating statements from the defendant’s counsel, the judge sentenced Munju to six years for the first count and five years for the second count, totaling 11 years. However, the judge also offered an alternative of a fine, setting it at N50 million for each count, which amounts to a total of N100 million if she chooses to pay instead of serving the prison term.

This case underscores the serious legal repercussions of drug trafficking and highlights the ongoing efforts of the NDLEA to combat drug-related offenses in Nigeria.