24th January, 2013
Nnamdi Felix / Abuja
A forex currency smuggler who delayed his sentencing by a Nigerian Federal High Court siting in Abuja after he changed his earlier guilty plea was on Wednesday sentenced by the court.
The smuggler, Mallam Abulrasheed Ibrahim was convicted for attempting to smuggle the sum of $188,858 out of the country.
Ibrahim who was granted bail in the sum of N1 million on Monday following his changed plea appeared before the court Wednesday and withdrew his plea before pleading guilty to the one count charge slammed on him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
He was accused of declaring the sum of $45,000 while attempting to board a Dubai, United Arab Emirate, bound Ethiopian airline, at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport. Further search on him revealed additional $143,858.
His lawyer, Mr. Efut Okoi, pleaded on his behalf for leniency saying that Ibrahim was a first time offender and an honest business man who has dependents. He further urged the court to mitigate the fine stipulated by law.
The court presided by Justice Adamu Bello ordered that 25 per cent of the total sum be forfeited and paid into the Federal Government Treasury by the court accountant while the balance should be returned the convict through his counsel.