A Federal High Court in Ibadan on Monday sentenced a 25-year-old drug trafficker, Ibrahim Abdulateef, to six months in prison over unlawful possession of 700g of hemp.
Delivering judgment, Justice Uche Agomoh stated that she convicted Abdulateef based on the evidence tendered against him by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) as well as his plea of guilt.
Agomoh said that she took note of Section 270 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA 2015) which stipulates that anyone who pleaded guilty to an offence should be given a reduced sentence.
He said this was because the convict did not waste the precious time of the court and taxpayers’ money.
“However, to serve as a warning to others planning to embark on the illicit business, the convict is sentenced to six months in prison.
“The sentencing starts from the date he was first arrested and detained.
“Let me state here that being remorseful is not enough, but that the convict must completely stay away from any form of crime because it doesn’t pay.
“The weeds exhibit found in Abdulateef’s possession shall be destroyed by the NDLEA,” Agomoh held.
The Defence Counsel, Mr Musibau Olapade, had, shortly before the judgment was delivered, prayed the court to temper justice with mercy in sentencing his client.
Olapade said the convict had confided in him that he would turn a new leaf, henceforth.
Earlier, the NDLEA Counsel in Oyo State, Mrs O.O. Olorunsola, had told the court that the convict was arraigned on a count charge bordering on unlawful possession of narcotics.
Olorunsola said that Abdulateef was arrested on Feb. 24, 2023, in the Moniya area of Ibadan, Oyo State.
She said that NDLEA operatives apprehended the convict with a bag concealed with 700g of the illicit substance.
The prosecutor said the offence contravened section 11(C) of the NDLEA Act, Cap. n30, Law of the Federation, 2004.