A 25-year-old bricklayer, Olamilekan Idowu, has been sentenced to two years’ imprisonment by the Federal High Court in Lagos for trafficking 48 kilograms of cannabis sativa, commonly known as marijuana.
Justice Ibrahim Kala handed down the sentence on Thursday after Idowu pleaded guilty to a one-count charge filed against him by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Prosecution counsel, Julian Negedu, told the court that the convict was apprehended on May 24, 2024, in the Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos State while unlawfully in possession of the banned substance.
Negedu stated that the act violated Section 11(c) of the NDLEA Act, Cap N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Following Idowu’s guilty plea and the presentation of evidence, the prosecution urged the court to convict and sentence him under Sections 274(1)(2) and 356(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, which allows for a summary trial in such circumstances.
However, defence counsel, O. Ogunleye, pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy, pointing to the defendant’s remorse and early admission of guilt.
She described Idowu as a first-time offender who had promised to turn a new leaf, and appealed for a non-custodial sentence.
In his judgment, Justice Kala sentenced Idowu to two years' imprisonment but gave him the option of paying a fine of N500,000.
The court also ordered that the convict must perform 60 days of community service.
According to the charge, Idowu, “without lawful authority, dealt in 48 kilograms of Cannabis Sativa, a narcotic drug similar to cocaine, heroin, and LSD,” thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 11(c) of the NDLEA Act.
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