Lagos Court Sentences Malian To Two Years Over Possession of Marijuana

By Yetunde Ayobami Ojo

Justice Tijjani Ringim of a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, has convicted and sentenced a Malian, Mohammed Dambele, to two years imprisonment, for being in possession of a herbal drink laced with Cannabis Sativa, popularly called Marijuana.

called Marijuana.

The judge sentenced Dambele to two years imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to one-count amended charge brought against him by National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

The prosecutor, Paul Awogbuyi, had told the court that the convict was arrested on September 27, 2022, at Ebute-Ero jetty, Lagos Island, Lagos, with 400 bottles of Al Hil herbal mixture, popularly known as “akuskura”.

Awogbuyi told the court that the herbal mixture was laced with Cannabis Sativa also known as Marijuana, which he said was a prohibited substance, which he attempted to export to his country, Mali.

The prosecution counsel said his offences contravened 11(b) of NDLEA Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN) 2004, and punishable under the same Act.

Following his guilty plea, the prosecutor reviewed the facts of the charge, and urged the court to convict and sentence him in accordance with section 11(b) of (NDELA) Act,2004

But the defence counsel, Mr. G. O. Okaka, pleaded with the court to tamper justice with mercy in sentencing him. He told the court that his client never knew that the product is prohibited since it has the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) approval number.

Justice Ringim after listening to the defence counsel cited various decided cases, convicted and  sentenced Dambele  to two years imprisonment. He ordered that the convict’s jail-term commences from September 27, 2022, when he was arrested.

Source: The Guardian