NIGERIAN STUDENT FREED OF DRUG TRAFFICKING CHARGE

KUALA LUMPUR, April 21 (Bernama) -- A Nigerian student escaped the hangman's
noose when the High Court here Tuesday ordered that he be acquitted and
discharged of a drug trafficking charge.

Justice Mohamad Zabidin Mohd Diah ordered that Vincent Danson Nduati
be freed after deputy public prosecutor Yaacub Chik applied to withdraw the
charge, which carries the mandatory death sentence upon conviction.

Vincent, 26, was charged with trafficking in 626.6 grammes drugs, comprising
450.8 grammes of heroin and 175.8 grammes of monoacetyl morphines, at a five
foot way of premises no: B-0-03A, Plaza Metro Prima, Kepong, Sentul here at
4.30am on Aug 22 last year.

However, Yaacub told Vincent that he would have to return to the court to
testify as a prosecution witness in the same case against his Filipina friend,
Armah Candelario, 31.

Armah pleaded not guilty to committing the offence at the same place.

Vincent and Armah were represented by counsel Karpal Singh.

Hearing for Armah's case has been fixed for five days, beginning June 22,
before Mohamad Zabidin.
-- BERNAMA