Lawrence Aluagu had been sentenced to life imprisonment by Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia of a Federal High Court in Ikoyi. Lawrence was arraigned on March 8 and had pleaded guilty to the charge and also begged the court to be lenient in judgment. He was arrested under Ojota Bridge, where he was reported to be in the business of selling Indian hemp. Lawrence told the court that he was duped by an unknown soldier, after he paid him some money to help facilitate his recruitment into the Nigerian Army. Lawrence also told the court that he was a first time offender, adding that life had been difficult for him since the death of his parents. Reacting to the development, Joseph Otteh the Executive Secretary of Access to Justice decried the sentencing, describing it as a miscarriage of justice. “I think the sentence is excessive and not commensurate with the crime. I also think that it is a wrong sentencing. The judiciary disproportionately makes poor people more victims of crime than people of means,” Otteh said. “While the judiciary allow ostentatious plea bargains for the rich and they are let off with just a slap on the wrist. We have taken a decision to appeal the judgement,” Otteh said.]]>