CRIMINAL COURT C’ CONVICTS NIGERIAN NATIONAL ALLIAS “ORIGINAL JAPAN” AND OTHERS FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING
By Florence D. Nyenatiee
January 28, 2025
MONROVIA: The First Judicial Circuit Criminal Court has convicted four individuals for drug trafficking. Delivering the verdict, Judge A. Blamo Dixon, the Resident Judge of Criminal Court “C” in Montserrado County, noted that out of eight individuals previously charged with unlawful drug distribution and criminal conspiracy, four were convicted while four were acquitted.
Those found guilty include George Obi, commonly known as Original Japan, along with co-defendants Peter Mamah, Ndubuisi Okonkwo, and Bridgestone Harris.
However, co-defendants Sunday Udeh, Edwin Ozioko, Igwe David, and Ivan Jamo were cleared of all charges related to the unlawful distribution and sale of controlled substances, as well as criminal conspiracy.
The case started in February 2024 following a significant drug seizure that included Kush, heroin, marijuana, and Tramadol.
This seizure occurred during a search conducted by the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency at the residence of George Obi, a Nigerian national residing in Liberia. Court documents indicate that the interior of Obi’s residence has been marked as Exhibit D/2.
Furthermore, witness testimonies revealed that drugs were discovered in Obi’s kitchen and ceiling during the search.
As part of the ruling, the court ordered the Ministry of Justice’s Probation Services Department to conduct a pre-sentencing investigation to determine whether the convicted defendants were first-time or habitual offenders. The report is expected to be submitted to the court by February 24, 2025.
