The convict, who had earlier pleaded guilty, was arrested on Oct. 19 by officials of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Oyo/Osun Command, Ibadan.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik who sentenced the convict, held that the court took into consideration the period the convict had spent in detention.

“This would serve as a deterrent to would-be offenders,” she told the court.

The defence counsel, John Adeyemo, had earlier pleaded for leniency on behalf of his client.

“The defendant is a first-time offender, a man of responsibility with seven children and aged-parents.

”He is also an illiterate, who was engaged to transport the rice,” he said.