A Malaysian High Court sentenced Nigerian national Moses Chinedu Nwosu, 50, to death on 26 August 2012 after convicting him of trafficking more than 14 kilograms of marijuana.[1] Judicial Commissioner Mohd Zaki Abdul Wahab found the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and imposed the mandatory sentence of death by hanging under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.[2]

The seizure

Nwosu, who owned a restaurant in Bangkok and studied at a university there, was caught with 14.302 kg of marijuana at the Shahab Perdana bus terminal on the night of 25 March 2011.[2] He had travelled by taxi from Bukit Kayu Hitam near the Thai border toward Alor Setar carrying the drugs in a black bag.[1][2] He testified the bag belonged to a Malay man travelling with him, but a witness said Nwosu carried the bag from the parking lot to the terminal himself and its key was found in his pocket.[1][2] The judge held his testimony amounted to a mere denial that failed to raise a reasonable doubt.[2] His lawyer could not be reached for comment.[1]