Monrovia — After more than six months of trial, Criminal Court ‘C’ at the Temple of Justice has convicted George Obi, alias ‘Original Japan’, of unlawful maintenance and distribution of controlled drugs and substances. Presiding Judge A. Blamo Dixon also found co-defendants Peter Mamah, Ndubusi Okonkwo, and Bridgestone Harris guilty of criminal conspiracy.
Judge Dixon acquitted four other defendants—Sunday Udeh, Ivan Jamo, Igwe David, and Edwin Ozioko—of all charges, ruling that the evidence failed to establish their involvement in the crimes.
Basis for Conviction
In his ruling on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, Judge Dixon stated that investigators from the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) were justified in charging Obi, Mamah, Okonkwo, and Harris. The court determined that the men were apprehended in the same room, packaging illegal substances and smoking marijuana, as corroborated by the prosecution’s evidence.
The court held that George Obi, as the owner of the compound where the drugs were confiscated, was directly culpable. Testimonies revealed that controlled substances were found not only in the apartments of tenants but also in Obi’s personal quarters. Judge Dixon noted that Obi had knowledge—or should have had knowledge—that his property was being used for drug trafficking and distribution.
Acquittal of Four Defendants
Co-defendants Sunday Udeh, Ivan Jamo, Igwe David, and Edwin Ozioko were found to have been present at the premises for unrelated purposes. Udeh, for instance, was negotiating the purchase of a Toyota Camry and had advanced $3,000 to Obi for the vehicle’s clearance from the Freeport of Monrovia. The other acquitted defendants were reportedly visiting Obi’s shop to socialize and were not linked to the drug operation.
Evidence and Rationale
Judge Dixon emphasized that the court’s decision was based on the logical connection of evidence to the actions of the defendants. While the evidence directly implicated Obi, Mamah, Okonkwo, and Harris, it failed to establish a similar link to the other four individuals. The prosecution presented four general witnesses and three rebuttal witnesses, while the defense produced eight witnesses during the trial.
Pre-Sentencing Investigation Ordered
Judge Dixon ordered the Clerk of Court to notify the Ministry of Justice’s probation service department to conduct a pre-sentencing investigation. The report, due by February 24, 2025, will determine whether the convicted individuals are first-time or habitual offenders, which could influence their sentencing.
The case, which began with the arrest of the defendants on February 21, 2024, has drawn significant public attention due to the value of the drugs involved—estimated at USD $31,625 or LRD $6,077,370—and its implications for Liberia’s ongoing fight against drug trafficking and abuse.
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