NAN – The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on Wednesday sentenced a 30-year-old man, Nafiu Saloh, to two years imprisonment for illicit dealing in 2.8kg of Indian hemp.
The accused was arraigned on March 4 by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and had pleaded guilty to the one-count charge.
The Indian Hemp Farm Justice Jude Dagat had consequently ordered his remand in custody and adjourned the case for a review of facts. At the resumed hearing, the judge found the accused guilty as charged.
“The accused is hereby sentenced to a term of two years imprisonment beginning from the date of his arrest,” he said.
The judge also ordered the drug exhibit in custody of the NDLEA to be destroyed. At the arraignment, the prosecutor, Mr Jeremiah Aernan, had told the court that the accused committed the offence on June 10, 2015.
He said that Saloh was arrested at Gongere area of Mile 12, Lagos, while selling Indian hemp. Aernan said that 2.8 kg of Indian hemp was seized from Saloh and he was subsequently arrested and prosecuted.
The offence, the prosecution said, contravened the provisions of Sections 11 (c) of the NDLEA Act, 2004. Shortly before his sentence, the convict made a passionate plea for mercy.
Saloh said that he was a first time offender and had a wife and two children who were dependent on him.
