Five-Year Imprisonment for Nollywood Filmmaker’s Crimes
On February 6, 2025, the Federal High Court in Lagos sentenced 40-year-old American-trained Nollywood filmmaker, Mbadiwe Emmanuel Emeka, to five years in prison for trafficking 17.30 kilograms of “Canada Loud,” a potent strain of Cannabis Sativa.
Emeka was arrested on December 24, 2024, during an inspection of incoming cargo at the National Handling Company (NAHCO) Import Shed at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos. The shipment, originating from Houston, USA, was found to contain the illicit substance. Investigations revealed that Emeka had enlisted the assistance of Uzoekwe Ugochukwu James to facilitate the illegal importation.
Upon arraignment, Emeka pleaded guilty to two counts of unlawful importation of the banned substance, as charged by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). Following his plea, the NDLEA prosecutor presented evidence, including the seized drug, Emeka’s confessional statements, and an iPhone Pro Max 12. The court convicted Emeka and sentenced him to five years imprisonment. However, the judge provided an option for Emeka to pay a fine of N3 million in lieu of serving the prison term. Additionally, the court ordered the forfeiture of the seized drug and the iPhone to the federal government.