PUBLIC PROSECUTOR v Lim Wei Fong, Nicman

[2024] SGHC 3 High Court (General Division) 10 January 2024 • HC/CC 16/2023 • 36 min read

3 cases cited Cited by 1 case

Catchwords

Criminal Law — Statutory offences — Misuse of Drugs Act

Practice Areas

Criminal Law

Judges (1)

Hoo Sheau Peng Delivered

Counsel (10)

Attorney-General's Chambers Firm BC Lim & Lau LLC Firm Drew & Napier LLC Firm Prolegis LLC Firm Benedict Chan Wei Qi Counsel Prosecution Brian Tan Counsel Prosecution Chong Yong Counsel Prosecution Daniel Chia Hsiung Wen Counsel Accused Dierdre Grace Morgan Counsel Accused Lau Kah Hee Counsel Accused

Parties (2)

Public Prosecutor Prosecution Lim Wei Fong Nicman Accused

Case Significance

Public Prosecutor v Lim Wei Fong Nicman [2024] SGHC 3 was a decision of the General Division of the High Court in Criminal Case No 16 of 2023, with Hoo Sheau Peng J delivering the grounds of decision on 10 January 2024 after a trial spanning 27-28 June, 6-7 July, 27 November and 28 December 2023. The accused, Mr Lim Wei Fong, Nicman, claimed trial to a charge of having in his possession four packets containing not less than 367.2 g of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking, an offence under s 5(1)(a) read with s 5(2) of the Misuse of Drugs Act (Cap 185, 2008 Rev Ed).

The judgment records that the court found Mr Lim guilty and convicted him, and imposed life imprisonment and 15 strokes of the cane. The grounds set out the undisputed facts in the statement of agreed facts: on 11 August 2020 at about 10.05pm, Central Narcotics Bureau officers intercepted the car Mr Lim was driving, bearing licence plate SMP7468Y, and arrested him, with a search of the car following at around 10.20pm. The judgment notes that Mr Lim appealed against the conviction. The Attorney-General's Chambers acted for the prosecution, with Drew & Napier LLC, Prolegis LLC and BC Lim & Lau LLC among counsel for the accused.

Summary

Nicman Lim Wei Fong claimed trial to a charge of possessing not less than 367.2g of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking, an offence under section 5(1)(a) read with section 5(2) of the Misuse of Drugs Act, after officers of the Central Narcotics Bureau intercepted the car he was driving and searched his hotel room. The General Division of the High Court found him guilty and convicted him of the charge. The court found he had proved on a balance of probabilities that his role was that of a courier and, as the Public Prosecutor had issued a certificate of substantive assistance, imposed the alternative sentence of life imprisonment and the mandatory minimum of 15 strokes of the cane rather than the death penalty.

What sentence was imposed in Public Prosecutor v Lim Wei Fong Nicman [2024] SGHC 3?

Hoo Sheau Peng J convicted Mr Lim Wei Fong, Nicman of possessing not less than 367.2 g of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking under the Misuse of Drugs Act, and imposed life imprisonment and 15 strokes of the cane. He appealed against the conviction.

What was the charge against Lim Wei Fong Nicman?

In [2024] SGHC 3, Mr Lim Wei Fong, Nicman claimed trial to possessing four packets containing not less than 367.2 g of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking, an offence under s 5(1)(a) read with s 5(2) of the Misuse of Drugs Act (Cap 185, 2008 Rev Ed).

How was Lim Wei Fong Nicman arrested according to [2024] SGHC 3?

According to the statement of agreed facts in [2024] SGHC 3, Central Narcotics Bureau officers intercepted the car Mr Lim was driving, licence plate SMP7468Y, at about 10.05pm on 11 August 2020 and arrested him, with a search of the car following at around 10.20pm.