Adrienne Munju, a Canadian woman,.mynewslive
Canadian Woman Sentenced to 11 Years for Importing 35.20kg Cannabis into Nigeria
A 41-year-old Canadian woman, Adrienne Munju, was sentenced to 11 years imprisonment by the Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday for importing 35.20 kilogrammes of cannabis, known as ‘Canadian Loud,’ into Nigeria. Justice Dehinde Dipeolu handed down the sentence, offering Munju an alternative of paying a N100 million fine.
Case Background
The incident occurred on October 3, 2024, during the inward clearance of passengers on a KLM flight at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos. Munju was apprehended by National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) operatives when 74 parcels of the illicit substance were found in two of her three bags during a routine joint examination.
“She was found with 35.20 kilogrammes of the substance during her first trip to Nigeria,” the NDLEA revealed, adding that Munju had been recruited online with a promise of CAD 10,000 (Canadian dollars) for successfully delivering the consignment.
Court Proceedings
Munju pleaded guilty to the charges during her arraignment, leading to a swift trial. NDLEA prosecutor Abu Ibrahim presented evidence and witness testimonies, urging the court to convict Munju based on her plea and the submitted evidence.
Justice Dipeolu, upon reviewing the facts, sentenced Munju to six years imprisonment on the first count and five years on the second count, with an option of a N50 million fine for each count. Both sentences and fines will run concurrently.
Plea for Leniency
During the sentencing hearing, Munju’s counsel, Benson Ndakara, pleaded for leniency, emphasizing her remorse and cooperation with the court. “The convict admitted her guilt early, saving the court’s time, and has vowed never to engage in such activities again,” Ndakara stated.
He added that Munju had no family or support network in Nigeria and was deceived into committing the crime. The defense requested that the court consider an option of fine instead of a custodial sentence, highlighting the difficult circumstances that led to her actions.
Despite the plea, Justice Dipeolu maintained the sentence while allowing the fine as an alternative, ensuring that both sentences would run concurrently.
Munju’s Motivation
According to her statement, Munju was motivated by financial strain, accepting the risky offer to pay for her ongoing Master’s degree in Canada. Her arrest and subsequent conviction underscore the serious consequences of drug trafficking under Nigerian law, which seeks to combat the rising issue of illegal drug imports.
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