By Jude-Ken Ojinnaka
A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on Thursday convicted and sentenced two drug dealers Faseun Paul and Michael Gbobili to 3 years imprisonment each for dealing in Methamphetamine, Cannabis Sativa and Cannabis seeds, narcotic drugs similar to Cocaine and LSD.
Justice Ibrahim Ahmad Kala convicted and sentenced the defendants following their plea of guilty in a three counts charge preferred against them by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
In the alternative, Justice Kala gave them an option of fine of N200,000 each in lieu of custodian sentence.
When the case was called for the defendants’ arraignment, the prosecutor Mr F.A. Adebayo applied for the charge to be read to defendants to take their plea.
When the charge was read, the defendants who had no legal representation pleaded guilty to the three- counts charge
According to the charge , in count one, the two convicts were said to have on or about December 10, 2023 at Magbon Badagry, without lawful authority dealt in Methamphetamine, weighing 2 grams, a psychotropic substance , a drug similar to cocaine, heroin and LSD
In count two, the first defendant Faseun Paul was said to have on same date as Magbon Badagry, without lawful authority dealt in 400 grams of marijuana also known as cannabis sativa.
In count three, the second defendant Michael Gbobili was said to have on same date and place, without lawful authority dealt in 35 grams of marijuana seeds.
According to the charge filed by the prosecutor, the offences committed by the defendants contravened Sections 11c of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N 30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and punishable under the same Act.
The two men pleaded guilty to the charge were accordingly convicted by the trial judge. While pleading for mercy, they asked the court to have mercy on them, promising that they will not return to that type of business again.
After listening to their request for mercy, Justice Kala sentenced them as follows:
For count one, they are sentenced to 2 years imprisonment each or a fine of N100,000 each.
For count two, Faseun is sentenced to one year imprisonment or a fine of N100,000 and for count three, Michael Gbobili bagged one year jail term or a fine of N100,000.
In a similar development, a 28-year-old defendant, Salisu Rabiu, on Thursday, told a Federal High Court Lagos that he could not understand English language in which a criminal charge was preferred against him.
The defendant was charged by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) before Justice Ibrahim Ahmad Kala, on a two-counts charge bordering on drug trafficking.
When the case was called on Thursday, the defendant entered the dock but quickly informed the court when asked, that he did not understand English language in which the charge was preferred.
He said that he only understood hausa.
Consequently, the court asked for any interpreter within the court who could assist in interpreting the charge in hausa language, to the defendant.
When an interpreter was found, the court’s registrar, fist read the charge in English language, while the volunteer interpreted same to the defendant .
According to the prosecutor, Ifeoma M. Erondu, the defendant was said to have conspired with one Nasiru Bello who is now at large, to commit the offence on November 20 at Ikorodu Lagos.
They were alleged to have conspired to unlawfully deal in 10.4kg of Cannabis sativa.
After the offence was interpreted to the defendant, he pleaded guilty to both counts.
Following his plea, the prosecutor, consequently, reviewed the facts of the case 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 and also tendered several documents such as : a drug analysis form, scientific aid form, sealed envelope, bulk substance, among others
The court admitted the evidences as exhibits respectively.
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.
On his part, defence counsel Mr. O. Ojakobo begged the court to show mercy on the defendant as being a first offender.
He prayed the court to issue a reformative sentence on the defendant .
In his verdict , the court found the defendant guilty of the charge and convicted him
The court sentenced the convict to a term of two years imprisonment or an option of N300,000 fine.
The court also ordered destruction of the drug substance, subject to the right of appeal by any party.