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Tag: Indian hemp

  • Physically-challenged man paraded for selling Indian hemp

    Physically-challenged man paraded for selling Indian hemp

    The police in Akwa Ibom have paraded a physically challenged man, Umoh Ubong Udoh, for selling hard substances suspected to be Indian hemp.

    The suspect, a cripple, was arrested last weekend at Ifa Ikot Idang, Uyo, the state capital.

    The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, who paraded the suspect yesterday along with others, said investigation was ongoing, adding that the suspect would be charged to court.

    The suspect admitted to have committed the crime, saying he sold Indian hemp to feed himself because he was handicapped.

    “I know that I am guilty but please I am pleading for forgiveness. I have no legs so I can’t do any job to feed myself.

    “Since I can’t walk, I always ask the Hausa boys around my area to wrap the hemp for me which I sell two wraps for N50 just to have money to eat food,” he lamented.

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    However, the PPRO said: “No one will ever imagine that a physically challenged person will be so criminally minded to engage in this unwholesome act.Investigation is ongoing and the suspect will be charged to court soon.”

    The police also paraded Daniel Effiong Umoh aged 32 from Abak Itenghe, Abak Local Government Area (LGA), for defiling a teenage  girl.

    DSP John said: “The suspect, armed with a machete, attacked and dragged the victim into the bush, where he forcefully had unlawful carnal knowledge of her.

    “Investigation revealed a history of sexual assault by the suspect on other teenage girls. He will not escape the full weight of the law.

    “Similarly, our operatives equally arrested one Louis Akpojotor Mevoweoyo, a pastor from Ughelli North LGA, residing in Ibiono Ibom, for defiling his daughter (name withheld).

  • Man jailed two years for exporting Indian hemp

    Man jailed two years for exporting Indian hemp

    Justice Peter Lifu of a Lagos Federal High Court, has sentenced one Obiorah Chigozie Samuel, to two years imprisonment  for exporting cannabis sativa, a prohibited ‘weed’, to the United States of America (USA).

    Justice Lifu on Friday  sent the defendant  after convicting him  of charges of unlawful exportation banned substance, brought against him by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

    He had changed his plea to guilty plea.

    NDLEA had earlier arraigned the convict before the court, December 5, 2023, on a four-count charge of conspiracy, unlawful possession of 3.150 kilograms of Cannabis Sativa and exportation of same from Nigeria to united Kingdom.

    He had pleaded not guilty to the charges and was granted bail on December 8, 2023.

    On january 30, 2024, the defendant changed his plea, and pleaded guilty to the same charge.

    Based on his guilty plea, the prosecutor, Mrs.Juliana  Iroabuchi, on February 6, 2024

     tendered 12 exhibits, which included the defendant’s confessional statements, bulk of the seized prohibited drug, his handsets, and others which were admitted by the court.

    She urged court to convict the defendant as charged.

    However, his lawyer, Dennis Warri, in his allucutor, pleaded for leniency on behalf of the convict on the ground that he is a first time offender, who has become remorseful of his action adding  that he had promised not to engage in any criminal acts.

    The counsel therefore urged the court to give the convict an option of fine in lieu of the custodian sentence.

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    Opposing the counsel’s plea for leniency on the convict’s behalf, the prosecutor told the court that convict, is an unrepentant criminal, who did not pleaded guilty at first  instance, and that his change of plea is an after thought.

    He also stated that the convict lied on oath and misled the court  to get bail.

    The prosecutor also objected to option of fine, as requested by the counsel, saying that it will send a wrong  signal to the society at large.

    She said that both the Nigeria and British governments have entered into an agreement to fight the drug war.

    After counsels submissions, Justice Lifu, sentenced the convict to two years imprisonment on count one to four.

    The judge however, ordered the convict to pay a fine option of N500, 000.00 on count one to three, but sentenced him to two years imprisonment and to pay N500,000, 00 on count four.

    Justice Lifu ordered that the jail-term shall run concurrently and the fine option to run consecutively.

    Upon connection and sentenced of the convict, the prosecutor urged the court to order final forfeiture of a silver colour Toyota Camry car with Anambra State registration number; NSH -700-HA; two Samsung phones; a Nokia phone and his international passport, which were previously forfeited in the interim, be finally forfeited to the Nigeria government.

    She also urged the court to release the drug exhibit to the NDLEA for destruction, if there is no appeal against the judgment, after the stipulated period.

    The 39 year old convicted drug exporter, who resides at 8, Doctor KC Emmanuel Street Bucknor, Isheri, Lagos according to the NDLEA had on September 15, 2023, conspired with one Blessing Collins also known as Don Chucks, who resides in United Kingdom; and One Kingsley and Ikenna Okoli (who were said to be at large) to commit the crimes.

    The convict and others were said to have concealed the drug inside cocoyam powder flour, and further concealed in the silver colour Toyota Camry.

    The offences according to the prosecutor, contravened sections 11 (b) and 14 (b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, Cap N. 30 Law of the Federation of Nigeria 2004. And punishable under the same Act.

  • Indian hemp suspect held

    The police in Ogun State have arrested an illegal substance dealer caught with 17 bags of weed suspected to be marijuana.

    Daniel Elimuya, a resident of 9, General Hospital Street, Iyana-Ira in Agbara, was arrested around 6:30pm on July 28 at Ibafo.

    It was learnt that the suspect hid the weed inside a vehicle he travelled in from Delta State to Lagos.

    The Nation gathered that the police received a tip-off about the vehicle with number plate GGE782EX and intercepted it.

    Read Also: NSCDC intercepts suspected Indian hemp valued at N72m in Lagos

    Confirming the arrest, police spokesman Abimbola Oyeyemi, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP), said the bags were hidden inside the vehicle and were discovered after a search.

    He said the suspect was arrested and he confessed to have been a marijuana distributor and was going to Lagos Island to deliver the weed to one Kofo.

    “Police Commissioner Bashir Makama has ordered the transfer of the suspect and exhibits to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID) for further investigation.

     

  • Indian hemp dealer sentenced to death by hanging for killing policeman

    An Anambra State High Court sitting at Otuocha on Monday sentenced an Indian hemp dealer to death by hanging for killing a policeman, Late Corporal Oluwadaini Temidayo, at Oye-Olisa market, Ogbunike, in Oyi Local Government Area of the State.

    The defendant, Chukwuebuka Nneji-Olona, reportedly beat the officer to death with stones and wooden planks on May 2, 2014, contrary to section 274(1) of the criminal code.

    According to the prosecuting counsel, Mrs Stella Ofokansi, the deceased was a corrupt policeman, working at Nteje Divisional Police Station who monthly visited the Indian hemp dealers’ shops at the market.

    “He demanded and collected bribes from the illicit drug dealers in order to keep quiet over their illegal business.

    “But luck ran out of the corrupt policeman when he stormed the market in company of other police officers to raid the shops of the illegal Indian hemp sellers, after coming the previous day to collect his usual bribe money.

    “This action by the corrupt police officer brought about so much anger, resistance and resentment from the drug peddlers that they physically assaulted him with stones and woods leading to his sudden death.

    “The defendant, feeling guilty that he killed the victim in cold blood and for fear of being caught, ran to the house of a herbalist known as Ajana-Oyibo to do a spiritual work that would free him from the guilt of killing the deceased which was disturbing him.

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    “The said native doctor reported the matter to the local vigilante operatives, who arrested the defendant and handed him over to the Divisional Police Station at Nteje for investigation and persecution.”

    Delivering judgement on the matter, Justice O.C Amaechina said, “After considering  the evidence before me , I am left with no doubt as to the facts put forward by the state.

    “I accordingly hold that the facts alleged by the state have been established beyond reasonable doubt”.

    “I therefore held the accused liable of unlawfully killing of the deceased and found him guilty as charged. Hence the defendant has been sentenced to death by hanging.

    Reacting to the judgement, the prosecution counsel,  Mrs Stella Ofokansi said the judgement would serve as a deterrant to everyone that the law abhors jungle justice.

    She added,“ I hope people will learn that they can not engage in unlawful mob action and get away with it”.

  • Segun Obasanjo, 37, others held over alleged Indian hemp sale 

    A 37-year-old man, Segun Obasanjo and five others have been arrested by the police in Lagos for allegedly selling Indian hemp inside a Lagos market.

    They were nabbed during a raid of Alaba Rago Market by operatives attached to Okoko Division on Saturday afternoon.

    Arrested with Obasanjo were Job Omesi, 16, Ayomide Samuel, 21, Buhari Oseni, 27, Muda Haruna,30, and Suraju Ayuba, 28, police spokesman Bala Elkana, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP), said in a statement yesterday.

    He said the suspects were openly selling Indian hemp

    Besides the suspects, Elkana said six others were held for alleged cultism at about 10:30am by policemen attached to Area ‘J’ Command in connection with a clash that left four persons dead at Ajah, Lagos, on April 14.

    “Babatunde Wasiu, 30, Bolaji Elijah, 25, Joseph Timothy, 32, Bolaji Olayiwola, 22, Saheed Lateef, 22, and Julius Augele, 20, were arrested in connection with a clash between Eiye and Aiye cults on April 14, at General Paint, Ajah.

    “The clash left four Aye cultists dead. Axes and jack knives, which they used during the clash, were recovered from them. Four suspects were earlier arrested and charged to court in connection with the incident, bringing the number of suspects arrested to 10.

    “The Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID), Panti, Yaba, Lagos is investigating the case and the suspects will be arraigned,” he said.

  • Officials stop gang from smuggling Indian hemp into prison

    Officials of the Nigerian Prisons Service (NPS), Ikoyi, Lagos, have foiled another attempt by a two-man gang to smuggle Indian hemp into Ikoyi Prison.

    The incident occurred a week ago, barely one month after officials of the prison foiled an attempt by a housewife, Adeyemi Oyinkansola, whose husband is on remand at the Ikoyi Prison, to smuggle about 930 grams of a substance suspected to be Indian hemp concealed in four big tomato tins, into the facility.

    The suspects, Babatunde Mustapha and Abdullahi Ismail, were caught while attempting to smuggle Indian hemp into the prisons during visiting hours last week.

    It was gathered that the suspects, on arrival, requested to see an inmate, who unknown to them, had been moved from the facility to another one in Lagos.

    When told that the inmate had been moved, the suspects reportedly became confused, as they were not aware of the transfer.

    “Their mood changed immediately they heard that the inmate had been moved. In fact, the way they reacted to the transfer made those monitoring the closed-circuit television (CCTV) and other officials to become suspicious.

    “Consequently, our boss, Deputy Controller of Prisons (DCP) Tolu Ogunsakin, ordered them to be detained. He said a search should be conducted on them”, a source said.

    It was gathered that when subjected to a search, a black cellophane bag in which the Indian hemp was concealed, was found on them.

    The Nation learnt that Ogunsakin immediately ordered their arrest and seized the substance.

    Lagos State Controller of Prisons (CP) Tunde Ladipo, who confirmed the incident, said the prison authority would not relent in its effort to stop smuggling of such substances into the prison.

    “We are always very vigilant in our activities because we have zero tolerance for such acts. Immediately anybody is caught, we make sure they face the full wrath of the law. We will make no exception of these ones we’ve just arrested”, he said.

    Ladipo reiterated the determination of the prison authority to reform the inmates, to make them become useful citizens after their jail terms.

    He said Mustapha and Ismail have been handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further interrogation and subsequent prosecution.

  • Prison foils inmate’s wife’s attempt to bring in Indian hemp

    OFFICIALS  of the Nigerian Prisons Services (NPS) have foiled an attempt by a woman to smuggle cannabis sativa, popularly called Indian hemp into Ikoyi Prisons.

    The woman whose husband is detained at the facility, was said to have attempted to capitalise on humanitarian service providers and inmates’ relations’ visit to bring in the illicit drug.

    It was learnt that during such visits, people are allowed to bring in things for the inmates.

    The incident occurred barely two months after the prison foiled a three-man gang’s attempt to peddle Indian hemp within the facility, with the aid of its Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV).

    The woman allegedly concealed the substance, which weighed about 930 grammes, in four big tomato tins.

    The Deputy Controller of Prisons (DCP), Ikoyi Prisons, Tolu Ogunsakin, it was learnt, has begun investigation  to determine the culpability of her husband in the matter.

    The woman was shocked when officials at the gate insisted on a thorough check of every item brought into the prison.

    “When the tomato tins inside her package were opened, we found Indian hemp, a phone and a sim card,” a  source said.

    Lagos State Controller of Prisons (CP) Tunde Ladipo told The Nation that the suspect would not escape justice.

    He expressed surprise that a woman, under the guise of humanitarian service, could attempt to smuggle Indian hemp into the prison.

    Ladipo said the prison was not taking the matter lightly, adding that those found culpable would not be spared.

    The CP said: “We will rid the prison of bad influence from outside, to reform the inmates.”

    The woman, he said,  had been handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

     

  • Sisters caught smuggling Indian hemp, tramadol into Prison

    Officers of Kuje Medium Security Prison in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have arrested a female visitor to the prison for attempting to smuggle substances suspected to be cannabis and tramadol into the prison yard.

    One miss Blessing Chinwuba concealed the prohibited items in a carton of neatly packed indomie wraps.

    According to a statement issued by the FCT Prison Command Public Relations Officer, Chukwuedo Humphrey, She was arrested by prison officers at the gate lodge before she could pass the items to one Mr. John Ifeanyichukwu, who is a prisoner in the prison facility.

    On investigation, she claimed that the consignment was given to her by one Miss Victoria Chinwuba, her younger sister, to deliver, claiming ignorance of the contents.

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    Humphrey said although the statement was corroborated by Victoria, the younger sister Chinwuba, equally claimed ignorant of the contents of the carton as she was merely asked to collect the item from a courier service provider.

    The two suspects have been handed over to the NDLEA for further investigation and possible prosecution.

    The Controller of Prisons, FCT Command, Mr. Sylvester Nwakuche while commending the staff for a job well done, warned that stiffer punishment awaits anyone caught compromising security in and around the prison.

  • NDLEA seizes 10,210 bags of Indian hemp

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has uncovered 10, 210 bags of Cannabis Sativa, popularly called Indian hemp,  concealed in a makeshift warehouse in Ondo State.

    Head of Public Affairs Mr. Jonah Achema, in a statement to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Abuja, said the Indian hemp, weighing 132.730 tons, were concealed at the warehouse located in Uteh, a remote community in the state.

    He said the warehouse, which belonged to a man simply referred to as Peter, was located in a very thick forest where all cannabis harvests within the forest were stored for distribution to the illicit drug markets.

    “Peter, who is at large, is said to be the Chairman of Cannabis Cultivators Association in Uteh, Ondo State.

    “The storage facility where the consignments belonging to over 30 farmers were stored was guarded by armed men, who took to their heels upon sighting the NDLEA officers and men.

    “The operation code named “Operation Thunder Strike II”, was jointly carried out by the agency’s Special Enforcement Team along with the agency’s Tactical teams from Ondo and Edo commands,” Acheme said.

    He said the agency had stormed the forests in October 2018 where it destroyed several hectares of cannabis plantations and storage facilities.

  • NDLEA begins trial of 33-year-old suspected drug baron

    The trial of 33-year-old Vincent Amago, who is accused of cultivating Indian hemp in a large farm, commenced on Wednesday at a Jos Federal High Court.

    It was reported that the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), at the arraignment of the defendant, told the court that he was caught with 1,351 Kgs of Canniva Sativa, popularly known as Indian hemp.

    The NDLEA prosecuting counsel, Mr Bundi Suleiman, had told the court that operatives of the agency arrested the defendant on Nov. 29, 2017, at his residence at Kumbul village in Richa District of Bokkos Local Government of Plateau.

    According to Suleiman, the offence contravenes Section 19 of the NDLEA Act Cap N30 Law of the Federation 2004.

    The defendant had denied committing the offence and was granted bail by the court.

    At the resumed hearing on Wednesday, Suleiman told the court that he had two witnesses ready to testify in the case.

    Led in evidence by Suleiman, Mr John Joshua, prosecution witness 1, told the court that he arrested the defendant on Nov. 29, 2017.

    Joshua told the court that he and his colleague, Mr Michael Yelleng, in the company of military officers of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), on information, arrested the defendant at Kumbul village in Richa District of Bokkos.

    “On that fateful day, we went to the residence of the accused; when we knocked on the door, he opened it for us and we told him of our mission.

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    “To our utmost surprise, his entire house was like a store; it was filled with substances suspected to be Indian hemp.

    “We arrested him and packed so much quantity into our vehicles, but we had to leave some behind because the vehicles were filled up with no space to carry more, ’’ Joshua claimed.

    The witness said that the quantity they packed weighed 768Kg, and when tested, it was certified to be Indian hemp.

    “We again went back to his residence and packed the remaining substances and they weighed 583Kg; we also tested the substances and found them to be Indian hemp.’’

    Yelleng, another witness, also testified and corroborated the claims by the first witness.

    The prosecution then sought for an adjournment to call more witnesses after the defence counsel, Mr A. Shaddrach, had cross-examined the two prosecution witnesses.

    Justice Dorcas Agishi thereafter adjourned the case to Dec. 21, for continuation of hearing.