By Jude-Ken Ojinnaka
A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on Wednesday, convicted and sentenced a 30-year-old man, Omonile Akinbaye, to a term of 12 months imprisonment for drug trafficking.
Before the sentence after being convicted, he begged the court in a shaky pathetic voice saying “No don’t send me to that place; allow me go to my house ”
The defendant was arraigned before Justice Friday Ogazi, on a one-count charge of unlawful deal in Cannabis Sativa, a prohibited narcotics drug.
He had no legal representation and pleaded guilty to the charge when it was read to him.
Following his plea, the prosecutor Mrs Juliana Negedu called a witness, Mr Benjamin Nketah, a staff of NDLEA, to give evidence.
The witness told the court that he works as a central exhibit keeper with the Lagos command of the NDLEA. He narrated to the court how the defendant was brought before him on October 18, 2023, with the seized narcotics.
He further told the court that requisite analysis was conducted on the substance, which tested positive to cannabis sativa.
According to him, the narcotics weighed 341grammes.
The prosecutor tendered several documents before the court such as a drug analysis form, request for scientific aid form, and a packing of substance form.
Other documents tendered include: a bulk of the narcotics, drug analysis report as well as statement of the defendant .
She then urged the court to proceed and convict the defendant based on the evidence adduced.
Accordingly, the court convicted the defendant as charged.
Before sentence, the court asked the convict if he had any reason why the court should not send him to jail.
In response the convict who had been making “uncoordinated” statements in court said: “No, don’t send me to that place; allow me go to my house ”
Besides, the convict also told the court that he owns a vehicle which he personally drives, but that he also trades on “smoke” as a support.
He said: “I get motor wey be my own, but I dey sell smoke also, if this one no work , then that one go work,” he said
Meanwhile, some lawyers in court raised concerns about the sanity of the convict adding that he could be paranoid and unaware.
On its part, the court asked the prosecution, whether she thinks the convict is a proper case for rehabilitation rather than prosecution.
In response, the prosecutor informed the court that cases were referred for rehabilitation when the volume of narcotics is not above 100grammes.
She noted that the instant case dealt with 341grammes of cannabis which is far above the threshold.
In his verdict thereafter, the court sentenced the convict to a term of 12 months imprisonment with an option of N250,000 fine.
The court warned the convict never to engage in any deal on weed, adding that if he is brought back to the court, he risks a jail term of seven years.
The court ordered the convict to be transferred to the correctional service pending his fulfilment of fine option.
According to the charge, the convict was said to have committed the offence on October 13, 2023 at the Isolo area of Lagos.
He was said to have dealt in 341g of cannabis sativa, a restricted narcotics similar to cocaine and heroine, without lawful authority.
The offence contravenes the provisions of Section 11(c) of the NDLEA Act Cap N30 Law of the Federation 2004.