A court in North Goa has handed down a one-year sentence of rigorous imprisonment to a Nigerian national, Lucky Ekoemeye, for being found in possession of cocaine at a popular beach destination. The case dates back to an incident in November 2019.
The Case Details and Arrest
The arrest occurred on November 29, 2019, when Lucky Ekoemeye was found with 7.8 grams of cocaine at a shack situated on Morjim beach in North Goa. Following his arrest, he remained in judicial custody for a period of 76 days, from the date of his arrest until he was granted bail on February 12, 2020.
Court Proceedings and Arguments
During the trial, the prosecution, led by public prosecutor D Gawas, pushed for the maximum possible punishment. Gawas informed the court that the accused was also involved in another similar offence, which is currently pending trial separately.
On the other side, Lucky Ekoemeye's defence advocate, A Sawant, pleaded for a minimum sentence and fine. The defence highlighted that the accused had already undergone 76 days of detention during the judicial process.
The Court's Judgment and Reasoning
Additional Sessions Judge-1 for North Goa, Vijaya Ambre, presided over the case and delivered the verdict. The court sentenced Lucky Ekoemeye to one year of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 50,000.
In its observation, the court noted several factors. It acknowledged the 76 days of detention already served by the accused. It also considered that the quantity of narcotics involved was variable and that there was no prior conviction against Lucky Ekoemeye, with the prosecution failing to show any previous criminal history.
However, Judge Ambre stated that a lesser punishment could not be imposed, as it was necessary to show deterrence and prevent the commission of further offences. As a concession, the court granted him the benefit of set-off for the 76 days he had already spent in detention.
This case underscores the ongoing legal actions against drug-related offences in Goa's coastal areas, particularly those involving foreign nationals.
