Nigerian National Sentenced to 28 Years in Prison for Drug Trafficking







The High Court for Economic Crimes, Corruption Division, has sentenced the first accused, David Kanayo Chukwu, a Nigerian national, to 28 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to participating in the trafficking of 268.50 kilograms of heroin.

While delivering the judgment on January 22, 2026, Hon. Magistrate Otaru Joachimu stated that the court took into account the five years and nine months the accused had already spent in custody since his arrest. As a result, he will serve the remaining 22 years and three months to complete his sentence.

The court also acquitted the third accused, Alistair Amon Mbele, after the prosecution failed to prove the case against him in Case No. DCEA/IR/06/2020 ECO 36/2020, which involves David Kanayo Chukwu (a Nigerian national), Isso Lomward Lupembe (a Tanzanian), and Alistair Amon Mbele (a Tanzanian).

Regarding the second accused, Isso Lomward Lupembe, the case is still ongoing after he denied the charges against him.

Furthermore, the court ordered that the asset forfeiture case relating to the suspects’ properties should be handled within one year from the date of the judgment.

The suspects were arrested by officers from the Drug Control and Enforcement Authority (DCEA) in 2020 at Mbezi, Kibanda cha Mkaa area, for allegedly trafficking 268.50 kilograms of heroin.

The case has been adjourned to February 23, 2026, when it will be scheduled for further hearing.


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