Okada rider bags 10 months jail term or N150k fine
By Jude-Ken Ojinnaka
A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on Thursday convicted and sentenced a 43 years old Okada rider Mr Ismaila Lawal to ten months jail term for dealing in 300 grams of Cannabis Sativa, commonly called hemp.
However, the trial judge, Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke imposed a fine of N150k in lieu of prison term. In addition, the convict is to serve 100hours community service while the admitted exhibits shall be destroyed by burning after 90 days from this day of judgement.
Ismaila Lawal was arraigned before the court for unlawfully dealing in the said narcotics.
He was said to have on or about February 27, 2024 at Ifelodun junction, Lagos State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, without lawful authority dealt in 300 grams of Cannabis Sativa, a narcotic similar to Cocaine, Heroin and LSD.
According to the one count charge, the offence contravenes Section 11c of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria and punishable under the same Act.
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He pleaded guilty to the charge when it was read to him.
In view of his plea of guilty, the prosecutor N.J.Mamza applied for a review of facts of the case.
She called a witness who testified how the convict was arrested and brought the NDLEA with the substance which was analysed and tested positive to Cannabis.
Thereafter the prosecutor tendered the statement of the convict, result of the analysis and bulk of the substance as evidence and they were admitted as exhibits.
After going through the facts as reviewed the prosecutor, exhibits admitted and guilty plea of the defendant, he was convicted as charged.
After the allocutus by defence counsel, the convict was sentenced to 10 months jail term with effect from February 27, 2024 or N150k fine.