The Court of Appeal on Friday upheld the verdict and sentence handed down to a Nigerian man in 2010 for drug trafficking.

Emeka Akwuo, 31, was sentenced to seven years in prison after police seized about 21 grams of heroin and tablets from a house in the capital’s Daun Penh district.

Chan Madina, a court official, said Akwuo had appealed Phnom Penh Municipal Court’s original decision.

Speaking in court on Friday, Akwuo proclaimed his innocence.

“I appealed because I disagreed with the verdict and I was not the owner of the drugs,” he said.

During the raid on the house, police arrested Chheb Mom, who provided information that led to Akwuo’s arrest. Police also arrested In Srey Thou, who, along with Mom, was sentenced to two years in prison.

Akwuo claimed the drugs belonged to a fellow Nigerian, who was later jailed on separate charges.