Court sentences trader to 12 months imprisonment for peddling 1.5kg

Sentence
By Sandra Umeh
Lagos, March 10, 2020 (NAN) A Federal High Court in Lagos on Tuesday sentenced a 34-years-old trader, Shakiru Lawal, to 12 months imprisonment for peddling 1.5kg of Cannabis.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) charged Lawal with drug trafficking.

Lawal had pleaded not guilty before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke, when he was first arraigned, but opted to change his plea to guilty when he was re-arraigned on Tuesday.

Following his plea, the prosecution counsel, Mr Jeremiah Aernan, reviewed the facts of the case before the court, and tendered some documents.

The documents include: a written statement of the defendant, a drug analysis form, a request for scientific aid form, as well as remnant of the narcotics.

The court admitted the evidences and marked them as exhibits, accordingly.

In the charge, the prosecutor, told the court that Lawal was arrested on Sept. 28, 2019 at Ladipo Market in Mushin area of Lagos, while trading in cannabis.

According to him, cannabis is a banned narcotics similar to Heroine and other restricted hard drugs which are listed as being prohibited in the NDLEA schedule.

He said that offence contravened the provisions of Sections 11(c) of the NDLEA Act, Cap N30, Laws of the Federation 2004

Aernan urged the court to convict and sentence the defendant based on his plea as well as evidences adduced by prosecution.

Lawal, however, a pleaded guilty and begged for leniency.

The Judge sentenced Lawal to  12 months imprisonment to begin from the date of his arrest.(NAN)

UNS/DEB/SH
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Edited by Debo Oshundun/Sadiya Hamza