South African gets life

DENPASAR, Bali: South African national Martin Christopher Akujobi was sentenced to life in prison by a Denpasar court on Monday for producing and selling heroin.

"The defendant is ordered to remain in prison for the remainder of his life," presiding judge Linton Sirait said.

Prosecutor Wayan Armeini had been seeking the death penalty for Akujobi.

The 40-year-old was arrested in September last year with another South African, John Gabreille Mpednyane, after arriving in Denpasar from Jakarta.

The police observed the pair for a month before arresting them at their hotel. Officers found 2.3 kilograms of pure heroin in their hotel rooms.

A verdict in the trial of Mpednyane is expected to be announced next Friday. -- JP