The Nation Newspaper

Tag: cannabis

  • Father of four goes to jail for illegal possession of cannabis

    A Federal High Court sitting in Ado Ekiti on Monday sentenced a father of four, Adole Akia, to one and a half year jail-term for illegal possession of cannabis sativa otherwise known as Indian hemp.

    Justice Taiwo Taiwo sentenced Akia to jail on the weight of evidence brought before the court by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

    Akia was charged to court by the NDLEA which arrested him with the substance in Aramoko-Ekiti in Ekiti West Local Government Area with one Musbau Shittu.

    The Indian hemp which weighed 4.5 kg was concealed inside a bag and the accused person admitted ownership of the substance.

    The two counts preferred against Akia are illegal possession of substance suspected to be Indian hemp while the second count is dealing in the the substance.

    The sentence is to take effect from them day of Akia’s arrest in February 2016.

    Four witnesses, who are officers of NDLEA, testified in the case to prove the culpability of the accused.

    Before the judge handed down the sentence, he gave the convict an opportunity to address the court during which Akia urged the court to temper justice with mercy and promised not to return to crime again when he finishes his term in prison.

    Akia said: “I beg the court to temper justice with mercy because I have not committed the crime before; this is my first time. I have one wife and four children, I am the breadwinner of the family and I will not do it again.”

    Justice Taiwo in sentencing Akia, said: “The court having listened to the plea of the defendant and sentencing is to show that crime does not pay and Administrative Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 Section 401 is a move away from the sledgehammer approach, the demeanor of the accused is not lost on the court and the professionalism of his counsel who chose not to waste the time of this court by throwing in the towel.

    “The accused is hereby sentenced to one and a half years imprisonment in the hope that after coming out, he would have learnt his lesson and this serves as a lesson to others.”

  • Mother of five jailed for cannabis possession in Calabar

    Mother of five jailed for cannabis possession in Calabar

    A 35-year old mother of five children, Grace Edem Asuquo, has been sentenced to imprisonment for one year and six months without option of fine for being in possession of 400 grammes of cannabis sativa.

    The sentence was passed by Justice I. E. Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Calabar.

    Witness for the prosecution, Ochika Simon, a Deputy Superintendent of Narcotics in the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency said on January 26, 2016, a team of NDLEA operatives led by Danladi Abu arrested Asuquo with dried weed substance suspected to be cannabis sativa concealed in a multi-coloured school bag.

    He said he asked her who owned the substance and she admitted ownership.

    “I then used the United Nations Testing Kit to field test the substance and the substance tested positive of cannabis sativa. I then weighed the substance and it weighed four hundred grammes,” he said.

    Asuquo said she was a married 35 year old mother of five.

    She said she stopped schooling in Primary 6 and owns a provision store.

    She said her eldest child is 20 while her last one is six and begged the Court for mercy.

    The defendant’s counsel, Eni Okoi, prayed the court to acknowledge the fact that the convict is a first time offender and has not taken the court through a lengthy trial but accepted her guilty early.

    In the sentence, Justice Ekwo said counsel for the convict said she was a first offender and did not take the court through a lengthy trial and urged the Court to exercise leniency.

    Ekwo noted that the prosecution did not have any record of previous conviction, which meant she was a first offender.

    The sentence read, “Therefore in passing this sentence, I will take into account the fact that convict is a first offender, I will take into account the fact that the convict is a first offender, the quantity in her possession and the period of detention. I will therefore exercise leniency by not imposing maximum sentence. Convict is hereby sentenced to 1 year, 6 months imprisonment without option of fine with effect from 26/01/2016.”

     

     

  • NDLEA recovers 301.2 kg of cannabis in Mushin

    NDLEA recovers 301.2 kg of cannabis in Mushin

    Sequel to the directive by the new Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Col. Muhammad Abdallah for the dismantling of drug trafficking organizations, the Lagos State Command Friday carried out a raid on a popular market at Mushin, Lagos.

    At Mushin market operatives of NDLEA recovered twenty-two (22) sacks of dried weeds that tested positive for cannabis weighing 301.2kgs.

    The Agency also discovered that drug barons were using shops in the market for illicit storage of drugs.

    The operation which took place about 3am was part of strategies to reposition the anti-narcotic Agency for optimum performance.

    Investigation revealed that the shop where the cannabis was found was always locked.

    The estimated street value of the seized cannabis is about three million naira and the owner of the drugs had also been apprehended.

    According to Abdallah, “all notorious areas including markets where drugs are sold must be dismantled. I want every notorious drug dealer arrested and prosecuted. We must remain strategic in our offensive and leverage on intelligence planning to overcome drug dealers at all times. Nigeria must be seen to be fighting and winning the war at all fronts. All resources required to successfully raid all enemy camps shall be made available.”

    The NDLEA boss urged traders and members of the public to report suspicious drug cases to the Agency for necessary action.

    NDLEA Lagos State commander, Aliyu Sule said that a notorious cannabis dealer by name Babatunde Mustapha Busari has been arrested.

    “Based on intelligence report, we raided Mushin area of Lagos at about 3am on Friday morning. Our team of officers caught the suspect red handed while preparing to distribute cannabis for the day.

    “The suspect who has been under surveillance for some weeks was immediately arrested and the recovered sacks of cannabis impounded as exhibits. The operation which lasted for about an hour was very successful as there was no resistance,” Aliyu stated.

    The suspect who hails from Ibadan, Oyo State has owned up to the crime. “I started selling hemp two years ago but this is my first arrest. I used to work in a car wash until a friend introduced me to cannabis trade.

    “At that time, my daily average sale was five thousand naira. I took over the business when my friend travelled out of the State few months ago. It is so painful to be arrested when I am beginning to enjoy the fruit of my labour,” he lamented.

    The suspect will soon be charged to court.

  • Man bags five years jail for dealing in cannabis saliva

    A Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday sentenced a 27-year-old man, Yawu Bakari to five years imprisonment over drug trafficking.

    The accused was charged by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on a one-count charge of trafficking in drugs.

    He was arraigned on February 1, and pleaded guilty to the charge.

    Justice Chuka Obiozor ordered the remand of the accused in prison, and adjourned for review of facts.

    Justice Obiozor found the accused guilty as charged.

    “I have carefully considered the evidence adduced by prosecution in this case, and the accused is found guilty as charged. He is accordingly sentenced to a term of five years imprisonment beginning from date of arrest,” he said.

    The judge also ordered that the drug exhibits be destroyed.

    The prosecutor, Mr Jeremiah Aernan had tendered several exhibits in court to establish the case against the convict.

    Aernan tendered the statement of the convict, a request for scientific aid form, a drug analysis form and remnant of the substance.

    In the charge, the convict was alleged to have committed the offence last December 16.

    The prosecutor said the convict was arrested at Flour Mills, around the Ikorodu area of Lagos, with about 200 grammes of cannabis saliva, popularly called Indian Hemp.

    Aernan said the convict was consequently arrested and the narcotic seized.

  • Ndlea arrests 18 suspects in Lagos drug raid, recovers 216.8kg of cannabis

    Ndlea arrests 18 suspects in Lagos drug raid, recovers 216.8kg of cannabis

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has apprehended eighteen suspected drug peddlers during a comprehensive raid operation in Lagos.

    Suspected dried weeds that tested positive for cannabis with a total weight of 216.8kgs were also seized during the assignment.

    Some of the places covered during the operation included Obalende, Alaba Rago, Lagos Island, Isheri Idimu and Bolade Market.

    NDLEA Lagos State commander, Aliyu Sule, who described the raid as successful said that three suspected drug dealers among those arrested shall be prosecuted, while others found to be users of drug are undergoing counselling.

    “The command has embarked on a routine raid across Lagos metropolis. Eighteen suspected drug peddlers were apprehended and cannabis weighing 216.8kg, including 119.3kg of abandoned cannabis at Lagos Island, was seized. Fifteen of the suspects found to be problem users had been placed on counselling while three suspected dealers are under investigation and will soon be charged to court”.

    Those under investigation are Iyanda Muri Amoo, 40, caught with 77kg at Gambari Street Lagos Island; Idris Dalhat, 55, arrested with 16.6kg at Alaba Rago and Ibrahim Daneyo, 32, found in possession of 3.9kg of cannabis behind Dodan Barracks Obalende, Lagos. The suspected dried weeds were weighed in the presence of arresting officers, the suspects and other witnesses.

    Ibrahim Danejo, who hails from Taraba State, said that he started the illicit trade some months ago because of joblessness.

    “It is not in my mind to sell hemp, but I am doing it to sustain myself pending when I will get a job. I used to buy hemp on Lagos Island and sell behind the barracks at the Obalende area. If I buy hemp worth N1,500, I can sell it for N3,000. Unfortunately for me, I was arrested with 3.9kg of hemp by NDLEA officers,” Ibrahim stated.

    The agency urged members of the public to provide information on the activities of drug peddlers in their neighborhood.

    It also assured of swift and professional response aimed at eradicating illicit drugs from our society.

  • Court remands 64-year-old man for drug trafficking

    Court remands 64-year-old man for drug trafficking

    A Federal High Court in Lagos on Thursday ordered the remand of a 64-year-old man, Andrew Nwaochichi, at the Ikoyi Prisons for dealing in cannabis sativa, popularly called Indian hemp.

    Nwaochichi was arraigned on a charge of drug trafficking by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

    He pleaded guilty to the charge.

    Following his plea, the prosecutor, Mr Jeremiah Aernan, prayed the court to issue a remand order against the accused.

    “In view of the plea of the accused, I pray my lord for an order of remand against the accused,” he said.

    Consequently, Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia, ordered the accused to be remanded at the Ikoyi Prisons, and adjourned the case till Jan. 14, 2016 for a review of facts and sentencing.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the prosecutor had told the court that the accused committed the offence on Sept. 15.

    He said that the accused was arrested at Monkey Village in Amuwo Odofin area of Lagos, where he engaged in the sale of cannabis sativa.

    The prosecutor said that the accused was arrested on a tip off and consequently, taken into custody by the NDLEA.

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

    NAN reports that the offence of drug trafficking attracts up to a term of life imprisonment if convicted.

     

  • NDLEA confiscates 109.800kg of cannabis in Anambra

    NDLEA confiscates 109.800kg of cannabis in Anambra

    •Declares drug baron wanted

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Anambra State has confiscated 109.800kg of cannabis from a warehouse at the Onitsha main market.

    It declared a suspect, Uche Baron, said to own the warehouse wanted.

    When the agency stormed the warehouse on August 20, Uche was not found but a suspect, Ugochukwu Chukwu, was arrested.

    Parading the suspect yesterday, a Commander Sule Momodu, warned intending recruits to quit because Anambra was no longer safe for them.

    According to Momodu, Chukwu, an in-law to Uche, had been in the business with him.

    “We will charge this suspect to court because he has violated the law, and we believe the court will do justice when we present our evidence,” Momodu said.

    The commander appealed to the people to come up with information that could lead to Baron’s arrest. “NDLEA can invade the main market, we have the resources and man-power to do so but they should oblige us with needed information that could lead to his arrest” Momodu said.

  • Cannabis dealer convicted twice in two days

    Cannabis dealer convicted twice in two days

    A cannabis dealer in Lagos has been sentenced twice in two days by the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos.

    Mr. Afiz Isah, 30, a.k.a Agama, who resides at Iketuga Street, Meiran, a Lagos suburb, was sentenced to eight-and-a-half-year imprisonment.

    Justice C.J. Aneke sentenced him to 18months in jail on Monday for dealing in 29 kilogrammes of weeds that tested positive for cannabis. On Wednesday, Justice Okon Abang handed him seven years imprisonment for

    unlawful dealing in 3.9 kilogrammes of cannabis.

    National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) prosecutor Mr. Jeremiah Aernan told Justice Abang that the accused was not a first offender.

    “We confirmed that Afiz sold cannabis to a female drug trafficker, Toyin Raimi, before the police apprehended him at Atubaje Street Agege, Lagos and transferred him to NDLEA,” Aernan said.

    The convict pleaded guilty and begged for forgiveness. “I want the court to forgive me and have mercy on me. I am married with children and I want to be with my family. I have made up my mind not to sell cannabis again. If you forgive me, I will go back to my village in Kwara State to farm.”

    Justice Abang ruled that the convict did not deserve mercy, saying: “I have gone through the facts of the case and it is clear that the accused distributed cannabis to some dealers within the state. I will, therefore, put an end to his menace and save the society from further damage resulting from his criminal activities. He is hereby sentenced to seven years imprisonment.”

    Toyin Raimi who was arrested with 29 kilogrammes of cannabis by NDLEA officers in Lagos, had fingered Afiz Isah as her supplier.

    Coincidentally, police transferred Isah with 3.9 kilogrammes of cannabis to the agency.

    Afiz was charged separately with supplying Toyin cannabis and dealing unlawfully in the 3.9 kilogrammes of weeds found on him.

  • NDLEA impounds 810.1kg of cannabis

    NDLEA impounds 810.1kg of cannabis

    National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) operatives have impounded compressed dried weeds that tested positive for cannabis sativa weighing 810.1kilogrammes.

    They were seized during a raid of some hideouts in Lagos. The first consignment weighing 658.8 kilogrammes believed to have been imported from Ghana was detected at Alaba Rago area of Lagos.

    The team also discovered another 151.3 kilogrammes at Agege where two suspected drug dealers were apprehended.

    Lagos State NDLEA commander Aliyu Sule, who confirmed the raid, said it was based on intelligence report.

    “Acting on intelligence report, we raided the water front at Alaba Rago area where we found compressed dried weeds that tested positive for cannabis.

    “The team also raided Kasamu Street in Agege where 151.3 kilogrammes of cannabis was found hidden in the ceiling. Both seizures weighed 810.1 kilogrammes. Two suspected cannabis dealers, Raji Kabir, 22 and Yusuf Bako, 19, arrested during the operation are cooperating with our team of investigators,” Aliyu said.

    Kabir, who hails from Oyo State, said he has been dealing in cannabis for over five years.

    “I was introduced into cannabis smoking by friends. Later, I began to sell cannabis at Agege and I used to make a profit of N2,000 daily. I have stopped selling hemp about three times but I keep coming back to the business because I have no money to sustain myself. We were sleeping when officers came to search our house and found the drug inside the ceiling,” he said.

    Bako from Kebbi State told investigators that he sells hemp to sustain himself.

    “After my primary school in Lagos I enrolled as an apprentice in an electrical workshop since I cannot further my education. My friends introduced me to cannabis smoking. I began to sell about a year ago in order to sustain myself. The day I did not go to work, I will go and sell hemp. I used to earn N1,200 daily. We were sleeping at night when NDLEA officers came to arrest us and discovered the hemp in the ceiling,” he said.

    Following intelligence report that the cannabis originated from Ghana, NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Ahmadu Giade has directed his commanders to intensify surveillance along the water ways.

    “I have directed commanders to intensify maritime surveillance to prevent drugs from being smuggled into the country through the water. We are also working very hard to identify other members of the drug cartels. I can assure you that we will not relent in our offensive against drug cartels,” Giade said.

    He called on parents to monitor their children, adding that good parental care will go a long way in preventing drug trafficking and abuse.

  • Suspected cannabis cultivators nabbed in Ondo

    In an effort to fight the menace of hard drugs, the Ondo State government has handed over 14 people who allegedly encroached  its forests and two suspected cannabis cultivators with 16 bags of the illicit drugs to the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in the state.

    The state Commissioner for Natural Resources, Mr Tunde Atere who handed the suspects to the agency said they were arrested by officials of his ministry with the aid of the Task Force set up by the state government.

    The commissioner disclosed that one of the suspects, Hammed Musa hails from Bama in  Borno state and the other, Sunday Samuel hails from Ebonyi state.

    He said the arrest was part of the ministry’s efforts aimed at preventing encroachment on government’s land and to prevent cannabis cultivation in the state.

    The commissioner said the suspects were arrested in Owo reserve at about 12 midnight, adding that the 14 cultivators are already in police custody undergoing interrogation. He expressed the readiness of the Ministry to rid its reserves in Ala, Ose and Owo of illegal activities of  hemp cultivators.

    Atere who said that it took the officials of the ministry over seven hours in the forest to arrest the suspects, noted that three other suspects arrested last year in Ala forest reserve with 95 bags of cannabis have also been handed over to NDLEA officials for investigation.