Lagos Court jails Drug Baron Chisco, Orders Forfeiture of $11,600, Other Assets

Justice Akintayo Aluko of the Federal High Court in Lagos has sentenced Ibemesi Francis, popularly known as Chisco, to seven years’ imprisonment for trafficking 1,762.8 kilograms of cannabis sativa (marijuana).

The court also ordered the final forfeiture of the convict’s seized assets, including bank funds, vehicles, and land, to the federal government. Chisco pleaded guilty to a one-count charge filed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

Prosecutor Abu Ibrahim informed the court that the suspect was apprehended with the illegal drugs at his residence on 19 Agboke Street, Okota, Lagos State. Following his plea, the prosecutor presented case facts, submitted exhibits, and requested conviction and sentencing.

The defence counsel, Uchenna Okenyin, appealed for leniency, emphasizing Chisco’s early guilty plea and lack of prior convictions. He requested a non-custodial sentence or a fine instead of imprisonment.

After considering arguments, Justice Aluko sentenced Chisco to seven years in prison and imposed a fine of N8 million.

The court also granted the prosecution’s application for the final forfeiture of the convict’s properties and assets, ruling they were proceeds of drug trafficking. This action was backed by provisions under Section 44(2)(k) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and multiple sections of the NDLEA Act.

The forfeited assets include bank accounts at Access Bank (USD 11,600) and Ecobank (USD 2,000, £2,000, €62,200, CAD 50), vehicles such as a silver Toyota Sienna (LAGOS FKJ 259 JJ), black Toyota Highlander (ABUJA ABJ 912 BZ), white Volkswagen Bus (LAGOS MUS 554 YF), and black Lexus 460 (LAGOS JJJ 227 JV), as well as properties at Daisy Garden, No. 7 Pius Eze Street, Isolo, and No. 19 Agboke Street, Okota, Lagos.

The NDLEA argued that preliminary investigations confirmed these funds and assets were acquired through drug trafficking, and that forfeiture was necessary to prevent dissipation. The defence opposed the motion, claiming the assets were not proceeds of illegal activity.

Justice Aluko ruled in favour of the prosecution, ordering that all identified monies, vehicles, and properties be forfeited to the federal government as proceeds of drug trafficking.