Nigerian Drug Boss Frank Nabolisa Loses Appeal Against Conviction and 30-Year Sentence
In a legal saga that has spanned over a decade, Nigerian drug dealer Frank Nabolisa has lost his latest appeal against conviction and a 30-year sentence.
Nabolisa, a once household name associated with the ex-wife of former South African intelligence minister Siyabonga Cwele, sought to challenge the process leading to his conviction.
Frank Nabolisa has lost his appeal
However, the Supreme Court of Appeal’s recent decision on January 19 has set the stage for Nabolisa to serve his sentence and face the consequences of his involvement in drug-related offenses.
Frank Nabolisa’s notoriety came from his association with Sheryl Cwele, the former wife of Siyabonga Cwele, who served as South Africa’s intelligence minister from May 2009 to May 2014.
The pair were arrested and convicted for recruiting drug mules to transport narcotics to South America.
Sheryl Cwele’s involvement in drug trafficking led to her divorce from Siyabonga Cwele in 2011.
Frank Nabolisa’s Legal Battles
Nabolisa’s legal troubles date back to May 2011 when he was initially convicted in the KwaZulu-Natal High Court for drug dealing.
The court found that he and Sheryl Cwele had orchestrated the sending of Tessa Beetge as a drug mule to South America.
Both were initially sentenced to 12 years in prison, a decision later increased to 20 years by the Supreme Court of Appeal.
However, the Constitutional Court eventually reverted the sentence back to 12 years.
In 2014, Nabolisa faced another drug-related conviction after authorities discovered cocaine, paracetamol, and hexamine at his girlfriend’s residence.
He received a 20-year sentence for dealing in drugs and an additional 10 years for contravening the Medicine and Related Substances Act.
Nabolisa’s recent attempt to overturn one of his convictions revolved around questioning the process followed by regional magistrate Syta Prinsloo during his trial.
He raised concerns about the forensic analysis process and alleged mistreatment of a defense witness by the prosecutor, who used the term “ag shame” during cross-examination.
The Supreme Court of Appeal, in its judgment, dismissed Nabolisa’s appeal.
Acting Judge of Appeal Zamani Nhlangulela mentione that Nabolisa’s rights to a fair trial were not violated, and the evidence presented against him was credible.
The court found that the criticism against the forensic findings lacked scientific backing, and the use of the term “ag shame” did not undermine the integrity of the proceedings.
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