Canadian Woman Sentenced to 11 Years for Smuggling 35.20kg of Cannabis into Nigeria

A 41-year-old Canadian woman, Adrienne Munju, was sentenced to 11 years in prison by a Federal High Court in Lagos for attempting to smuggle 35.20 kilograms of cannabis into Nigeria. The sentencing took place on Wednesday, with Justice Dehinde Dipeolu presiding over the case.

Munju, who was arrested upon arrival at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, was charged with illegally importing a large amount of cannabis, known locally as “Canadian Loud,” into the country. The court found her guilty after she pleaded guilty to the charges.

The judge offered Munju an alternative to her prison sentence, allowing her to pay a fine of N100 million, in lieu of the 11-year term. The conviction was based on Munju’s admission of guilt and the evidence provided by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), which carried out her arrest.

Munju’s legal counsel appealed for leniency, stating that she had been deceived into trafficking the drugs and had no prior criminal history. They also emphasized her remorse and cooperation with authorities during the investigation. The defense further argued that Munju had no family or support system in Nigeria and pleaded for a reduced sentence or an option for a fine.

After considering the facts, the court sentenced Munju to six years for the first count and five years for the second count. Both sentences, as well as the option to pay a fine, will run concurrently. Munju was arrested during passenger clearance on a flight from Canada to Lagos, where authorities discovered 74 parcels of cannabis hidden in her luggage.