The Nation Newspaper

Tag: hemp

  • Court jails labourer for trafficking cannabis

    Court jails labourer for trafficking cannabis

    A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on Monday, sentenced a 23-years-old labourer, Musa Danjuma, to one year imprisonment, for trafficking in 350g of Cannabis Sativa, also known as `Hemp’.

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA ), on January 29, arraigned the convict on a one count charge of trafficking Hemp.

    Danjuma pleaded guilty to the charge.

    The prosecution said that Danjuma was arrested on September 13, 2017, at Ajao Estate in Lagos, with 350kg of the narcotics.

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

    Read also: Court remands Ondo monarch, four others for alleged stealing

    The prosecutor, Mr Jeremiah Aernan, after Danjuma’s plea of guilt, reviewed the facts of the case before the court and led one prosecution witness in evidence.

    He tendered in evidence, a written statement of the accused, a request for scientific aid form, and a bulk of the exhibit.

    Aernan, thereafter, closed the case for the prosecution, and urged the court to sentence the accused in accordance with section 356 (2) of the ACJA 2015, and based on evidences adduced.

    At the resumed hearing, Justice Oluremi Oguntoyinbo, found the accused guilty as charged and accordingly, convicted him.

    The convict, who was not represented by a lawyer, pleaded for mercy and asked the court to give him a second chance to make amend.

    Oguntoyinbo sentenced the convict to one year imprisonment and held that the sentence would commence from the date of his arrest.

    “The convict is hereby, sentenced to one year imprisonment, to be calculated from the date of his arrest.

    “The drug exhibits are to be returned to the NDLEA for destruction,” she held.

    NAN

  • Lagos to stop sales of alcohol, hemp at motor parks

    Lagos to stop sales of alcohol, hemp at motor parks

    •Public smokers for trial

    Lagos State Government is working with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to flush out Indian Hemp and alcohol sellers at motor parks.

    Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) Chief Executive Officer Christian Olakpe made this known at a Public Education and Enlightenment Programme held by LASTMA for articulated vehicles at Naval Park, Marine Beach, Apapa, Lagos.

    He said driving under the influence of alcohol and drug abuse were major causes of accidents by articulated vehicles, adding that LASTMA will not fail to enforce traffic laws.

    Olakpe said: “We are planning to partner with NDLEA to flush out these hangers-around who sell drugs and alcoholic drinks to them (drivers) anywhere we see them. We have also told them that when they are strapping their cargoes, they should strap them well and they should drive with reasonable speed.

    “LASTMA is coming with full enforcement because we are going to include court processes, ticketing and impounding vehicles, penalising erring motorists. It will be very tough and total for those who don’t want to key into the change mantra of traffic law of Lagos.”

    Lagos State chapter of National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) Publicity Secretary Comrade Tayo Aboyeji hailed LASTMA for the programme, saying it is coming at the right time and will complement the association’s efforts.

    Also yesterday, Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) General Manager Bola Shabi said those who smoke in public would, henceforth, be prosecuted.

    Shabi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that this would ensure high standard of safety in public places and ensure a sound well-being for residents.

    He hoped that before the end of June, public smoking would have been reduced.

    “People have started reducing their smoking habits in open places especially due to health reasons,’’ he said.

    Shabi said those who did not comply with the directed would be sanctioned.

    The General Manager said LASEPA had also warned events’ centre owners against indulging their customers on public smoking, stating that they must paste a non-smoking sign in such facilities

  • NDLEA seizes 3,500kg hemp

    NDLEA seizes 3,500kg hemp

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Ondo State Command, has seized 3,500 kg of Cannabis Sativa, also known as Indian hemp, in the last two months.

    State Commandant Muhammed Sokoto told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Akure that the command also destroyed 36 tonnes of the substance.

    Sokoto said the command arrested 11 suspects, including three women, and destroyed three Cannabis Sativa plantations.

    He said the arrests were made at various parts of the state; Owo, Ifon, Ile-Owo and Ogbese and Itaogbolu.

    The NDLEA boss said the command was collaborating with the Ondo State government to use the confiscated plantation for cocoa farming under its cocoa revolution initiative.

  • 56 bags of Hemp impounded

    The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has impounded 56 bags of cannabis or Indian Hemp, calling it a major breakthrough in its fight against criminal activities.

    FCTA Permanent Secretary Mr. John Chukwu, an engineer,  made the disclosure after his meeting with the FCT Task Team on City Management.

    He said that the task team discovered the drugs at a depot during its covert operation at Tura-Bura, behind Apo Roundabout in Abuja.

    Deputy Director/Chief Press Secretary, Muhammad Sule’s revelations were contained in a press statement.

    In the document, Sule quoted Chukwu as saying that the drugs were kept in a bunker by the suspects but were uncovered by members of the task team.

    He stated, “The Permanent Secretary revealed that the Task Team discovered the hard drugs in a depot during its covert operation at Tura-Bura, behind Apo Roundabout.

    ”The FCT Administration is gladdened by the proactive activity of the Task Team for this major discovery which would go a long way in reducing crime in all its ramifications in Abuja and environs”.

    He said, “These 56 bags of cannabis and sundry hard drugs seized by the FCT Task Team will surely have positive multiplier effects on the fight against criminal activities in Abuja because most crimes are committed under the influence of hard drugs”.

    “He disclosed that the cannabis and sundry hard drugs were surreptitiously kept in a bunker by the suspects but was uncovered, thanks to the vigilance of members of the Task Team.

    “While commending the members, Engr. Chukwu seized the opportunity to challenge the Task Team to rededicate itself to an onerous task of riding Abuja of all environmental nuisances and criminal activities.

    “He called for cooperation and understanding of all the residents of the Federal Capital Territory in the Administration’s bid to make Abuja crime-free. The Permanent Secretary also enjoined the residents to always assist security agents by providing information about criminal hideouts and of suspicious person (s) or movements to the appropriate authorities in order to nip in the bud their nefarious activities.”

  • 60 wraps of hemp recovered from robbery suspect inside mini-cell

    60 wraps of hemp recovered from robbery suspect inside mini-cell

    Police prosecutors at Tinubu Magistrate’s Court in Lagos found in possession of a robbery suspect, Olalekan Bayo, 60 wraps of hemp at the court’s mini-cell.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the hemp, concealed in a Viju milk bottle, was delivered to the suspect by a courier, who fled on sighting the policemen.

    Sergeant Andohemba Koti said the suspicious way the courier entered the court premises showed that he was on a mission.

    “I was standing in front of the court this morning when I saw this young man with a bottle of Viju milk. When he entered the court premises at first, he was looking in the left and right directions and I thought there was something fishy about his mission,” he said.

    Koti said the cases of inmates smuggling hard drugs and other dangerous weapons into the prisons and cells were a threat not only to other inmates, but to prison warders and other people.

    He said additional charges might be filed against the suspect.

    The suspect told NAN that the courier was sent from Ikoyi Prisons to deliver the bottle of Viju milk to him and that he did not know the content.

    “The person just came and said Lekan, this is for you from your friend at Ikoyi Prisons and I said okay. I do not know the courier or the source and I did not know that the bottle was stuffed with hemp, ’’he said.

  • Hemp odour exposes robbery suspect

    Hemp odour exposes robbery suspect

    His bag attracted the police attention and he was asked the content.

    A peep into the bag and the policeman was hit by the pungent smell of Indian hemp and he screamed.

    That was not all. A search revealed two guns hidden inside the bag. This discovery led to the arrest of Amos Kuesi (24) by a plain-clothe policeman at the popular Pen Cinema Roundabout in Agege, a Lagos suburb. He  is being held by the Lagos State Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) .

    The Ogoni, Rivers State-born suspect, who claims to be a generator repairer, told The Nation yesterday that he took to armed robbery when he could not raise money to pay his rent in Lagos.

    Kuesi, who said he never told his fiance that he was into robbery for fear of losing her, stated: “I only told her that I do some runs which fetch me money. I am a victim of circumstances. I have been going for armed robbery operations and I used to be careful not to be caught. This time, I was careless.

    “I had accommodation problem. My rent expired in  November. I complained to my friend, Ifeanyi, when we went to play football in Rivers that I had a problem paying my expired rent. He promised to help me. But he told me that he had a bag which I would help him deliver to one man, Soti in Lagos, adding that Soti would give me N50,000 upon delivering the bag to him. He also gave me N20,000 covering my transport and feeding.”

    Kuesi said his friend told him that the bag contained  Indian hemp, ladding that unknown to him, it also contained guns.

    “When I reached Lagos, I wanted to pass through the Pen Cinema Roundabout but a policeman in plain-clothe accosted me and Soti, who was there to collect the bag. The policeman demanded to know the content of the bag. I told him I had two clothes (a shirt and a pair of trousers). When the policeman opened the bag, he smelt the odour of Indian hemp and screamed. Who are you that you have the courage to carry this quantity of Indian hemp? Are you a madman? He asked. Before I could answer one of the questions, Soti took to his heels,” Kuesi said.

    Soti’s escape, according to the suspect, prompted the policeman to hold him. “He immediately dragged me to the Pen Cinema Police Station.

    “When the policeman searched the bag thoroughly at the station,” the suspect said, “he discovered two guns, four cartridges and about N16,000 which was left on me.”

    Kuesi, who said he was later transferred to SARS’ Scorpion House in Ikeja, Lagos, added: “I confessed that I am an armed robber, but that I was not caught robbing at the Pen Cinema where I was arrested. I also told him that I did not know that Ifeanyi put two locally made short guns and four cartridges inside the bag he gave me to deliver to Soti.”

    The suspect has promised to help the SARS operatives to arrest Ifeanyi and Soti.

    The command’s image maker, Ken Nwosu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), confirmed the report.

  • NDLEA arrests student who bought drugs with tuition

    NDLEA arrests student who bought drugs with tuition

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has apprehended a twenty year-old undergraduate at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos for allegedly importing 1.745 kilogrammes of dried weeds that tested positive for cannabis popularly known as hemp.
    The suspect, Udiomeh Kufre Ita was found in possession of the drug during the inward screening of passengers on an Africa World Airlines flight from Accra, Ghana at the weekend.
    NDLEA Lagos Airport commander, Mr Hamza Umar said that the drug was detected during routine screening of passengers.
    “An undergraduate student was found in possession of two parcels of cannabis weighing 1.745kg during routine search of passengers. The drug was hidden inside his bag containing personal effects. He was immediately arrested and the case is under investigation,” Hamza stated.
    The suspect who reportedly gained admission into the faculty of Management Sciences at the Regent University is currently assisting narcotic investigators assigned to the case.
    In his confessional statement, Udoimeh Kufre Ita said that he used his tuition fees in purchasing the drug found on him.
    According to the suspect, “I spent my school fees on cell phone, smoking hemp and attending night clubs. I bought a cell phone for 107,000 naira and spent my school fees recklessly. I thought I could make enough profit from the sale of cannabis to offset the deficit in my tuition. I bought each parcel of hemp for 220 Ghana cedi.
    “I did not know what came over me and I am afraid to go to my parents. My father is a retiree” the suspect stated.
    He hails from Akwa-Ibom State but grew up in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja.
    Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA Ahmadu Giade described the action of the student as shameful and sad.
    “This is very shameful and sad. It shows that the suspect is morally bankrupt. Students must understand that drug use is inimical to the pursuit of their academic goals” Giade stated.
    The NDLEA boss called on members of the public to avoid drug use and support the fight against drugs. “Abstinence from drug use is the best solution but those who have problem with drug use should please seek professional help before it is too late. Let us support the anti-drug campaign for a peaceful and fulfilled life” Giade added.

  • Police seize Indian hemp in Edo, Imo

    The police in Edo State have intercepted a truck loaded with bags of weeds, suspected to be Indian hemp.

    The weeds were loaded at Otuo in Owan East Local Government and were intercepted at Auchi, Estako West Local Government.

    Commissioner of Police Adebanjo Folusho said the truck, marked AYB 97 XA , was intercepted at 2am.

    Adebanjo said though the suspects escaped, the driver was arrested.

    The police boss said the driver has helped in their investigation and would soon be charged to court.

    But the driver, who gave his name as Abiodun, said he raised the alarm when he discovered what was loaded in the truck.

    He said the owners covered the weeds with fufu and when he saw it, he called a police patrol team.

    “I reported the case to the police. It was loaded with fufu on top. I went to eat when they loaded the goods.”

    “At Aviele, I smelt the stuff and I called the police.”

    In Imo State, the police yesterday paraded a fake Army Officer, who was arrested with 40kg of Indian hemp concealed in a black Nissan Pathfinder, with fake registration number LU 366 ABJ.

    A thirty seven year-old suspect, Fabian Enudi, a native of Abbi in Ndokwa Local Government Area of Delta State, was arrested by the police Ambush Squad on Ohaji road with 35 bags of Indian hemp packed in sacks which were stuffed inside the vehicle.

    Enudi, who was dressed in Army uniform, was said to be residing in Abbi close to Abraka in Delta State from where he supplies his customers.

    The command also paraded John Iwuala for allegedly defiling a 13-year old girl.

    According to the Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Musa Katsina, the suspect, who disguised as a philanthropist, deceived the victim’s parents that he was going to sponsor her education.

    The CP said the victim followed the suspect, who pretended to be taking her to his office for documentation.

    “It was in the process that he drove to a hotel, where he defiled the girl.”

     

  • Woman, 40, arrested with 757.5kg of Indian hemp in Kano

    Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Kano yesterday arrested a woman, Hajiya Fatima Jimoh, 40, with 75 bags of dry leaves, suspected to be cannabis sativa (Indian hemp).

    The State Commander of the agency, Alhaji Garba Ahmadu, said the exhibits, weighing about 757.5 kilogrammes, were found at two warehouses belonging to the suspect at different locations in the city.

    The NDLEA chief explained that Hajiya Fatima was apprehended at her home in Dandishe, Dala Local Government, with her husband, Folorunso.

    The man reportedly denied knowledge of his wife’s involvement in the illegal business.

    He said: “I do not know she is involved in this kind of business. I am not aware of her involvement in drug trafficking. I just came back from a journey before I was arrested by NDLEA officials.”

    Fatima confessed to dealing in cannabis sativa for a long time and corroborated her husband’s claims.

    She said: “Honestly, my husband is not aware of this business. He is not into it with me. I do not bring it to the house and he has not in any way been involved in it.”

    Ahmadu warned drug peddlers, traffickers and users to leave Kano.

    He said: “We got about 74 bags of cannabis sativa in one of her warehouses used for wholesale; one more bag was found in the second warehouse, apparently used for retail.”