A Nigerian national has been handed a one-year prison sentence by an Indian court for being found in possession of cocaine. The case highlights the severe legal consequences of drug-related offences for foreigners in India.
Arrest and Court Proceedings
The convict, identified as Lucky Ekoemeye, was arrested in November 2019 at a beach shack in Morjim, North Goa. Authorities found him in possession of 7.8 grams of cocaine. Following his arrest, he remained in judicial custody for a significant period before the trial concluded.
During the court proceedings, the public prosecutor, D Gawas, pushed for the maximum possible punishment. He informed the court that Ekoemeye was also implicated in another similar offence, which was still awaiting trial. This argument was made to demonstrate a pattern of behaviour.
Defence Plea and Final Judgment
In contrast, the defence lawyer, A Sawant, pleaded for a minimum sentence and fine. He cited the fact that his client had already spent 76 days in detention during the judicial process. This plea for leniency was a key part of the defence strategy.
Presiding over the case, Additional Sessions Judge-1, Vijaya Ambre, delivered the verdict on January 4, 2026. The court sentenced Ekoemeye to one year of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of 50,000 Indian Rupees (Rs 50,000). In reaching this decision, the judge noted several mitigating factors.
Mitigating Factors Considered by the Court
The court's observation was crucial in determining the final sentence length. Judge Ambre stated that a lesser punishment could be imposed to act as a deterrent against future crimes. The court specifically considered:
- The 76 days Ekoemeye had already spent in detention from his arrest date of November 29, 2019, until his bail release on February 12, 2020.
- The fact that the quantity of narcotics was variable and not among the largest categories.
- The significant point that there was no prior conviction against him, with the prosecution failing to present any prior criminal history.
As a result, the court granted him the benefit of set-off for the 76 days he had already undergone in detention. This means this period will be deducted from his total one-year sentence. The case serves as a stern warning about the risks and legal repercussions of drug possession abroad.
