By Jude-Ken Ojinnaka
A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on Friday, convicted and sentenced a 50-year-old man, Lateef Idowu, to a term of one year in the correctional service for drug trafficking.
The defendant was arraigned before Justice Ibrahim Ahmad Kala on a two-counts charge bordering on unlawful possession and deal of 30g of cannabis sativa alias marijuana
He pleaded guilty to the charge when it was read to him
Following his plea, the prosecutor, Ifeoma M. Erondu, reviewed the facts of the case before the court and tendered several exhibits through her witness, Mr Seun Adeoye, an exhibit keeper with the NDLEA Lagos command.
The witness narrated before the court how the defendant was arrested. He also tendered several documents such as a drug analysis form, scientific aid form, sealed envelope, bulk substance, the sum of N20,000 recovered from the defendant, among others
The court admitted the evidences as exhibits respectively
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The prosecutor, then urged the court to proceed and convict the defendant based on his plea as well as the summary of evidences adduced by prosecution.
After submission by the prosecution and after listening to a plea for mercy on behalf of the defendant , the court found the defendant guilty of the charge and convicted him.
The court consequently, sentenced the convict to a term of one year imprisonment or an option of of N100,000 fine.
The court ordered a forfeiture of the sum of N20,000 recovered from the convict
Justice Kala also ordered destruction of the drug substance, subject to the right of appeal by any party.
According to the charge, the defendant was said to have committed the offence on December 7, 2023 at Lagos Island . He was arrested for illegally dealing in the prohibited narcotics weighing 30g.
The offence contravened the provisions of Section 11(c) and 11(d) of the NDLEA Act 2004.