Man bags 16 months jail for Indian hemp possession

Justice Joyce Abdulmaleek of the Federal High Court, Ibadan, on Monday, sentenced a 45-year-old man, Hakeem Saka, to 16 months in a correctional centre for unlawful possession of 3.3 kilogrammes of Indian hemp. In her judgment, Abdulmaleek held that the evidence before the court was overwhelming and uncontroverted, hence, the guilty verdict. The judge also […]

Justice Joyce Abdulmaleek of the Federal High Court, Ibadan, on Monday, sentenced a 45-year-old man, Hakeem Saka, to 16 months in a correctional centre for unlawful possession of 3.3 kilogrammes of Indian hemp.

In her judgment, Abdulmaleek held that the evidence before the court was overwhelming and uncontroverted, hence, the guilty verdict.

The judge also ordered the National Drug Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to destroy the Indian hemp found in the convict’s possession.

“It is my hope that this would serve as a warning to others thinking about engaging in drug dealing, that there is penalty for the crime.

“Therefore, Saka is sentenced to 16 months in prison,” the judge said.

Earlier, NDLEA’s counsel, Raphael Himinkaiye, said the defendant was arraigned on a one-count charge bordering on unlawful dealing in cannabis.

He told the court that the defendant committed the crime on March 3, at Egbeda, a suburb of Ibadan, Oyo State.

He alleged that the NDLEA operatives arrested the defendant with 3.3kg of Indian hemp concealed in a sack.

The prosecutor said the offence contravened Section 11(c) of the NDLEA Act Cap N30 of the Law of the Federation 2004. (NAN)