A Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday sentenced a 29-year-old man,

Obi was charged by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on one count.

He was arraigned on July 18, 2016, and pleaded not guilty.

However, midway into his trial, the accused opted to change his plea and was re-arraigned on March 31 during which he pleaded guilty.

The court consequently reviewed the facts of the case on April 1.

Delivering the judgment, Justice Babs Kuewumi found Obi guilty as charged.

He ordered that the sentenced should begin from the date of Obi’s arrest.

According to the charge sheet, Obi imported 1.57kg of heroin from Dar es Saalam, Tanzania, through Addis Ababa to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja.

The prosecutor, Mrs Juliana Obong, said that Obi was arrested at the E Arrival Hall of the airport during inward clearing of passengers onboard an Ethiopian flight from Tanzania.

She said that Obi was arrested after the substance was recovered from him.

Obong said that the offence contravened the provisions of Sections 11 (a) of the NDLEA Act, 2004.

Obi had prayed the court to show him mercy, claiming that he was a first offender.

He promised to become a better person.