Justice Deinde Dipeolu of a Lagos Federal High Court on Friday, convicted and sentenced a drug peddler, Oluwafemi Williams, to three years imprisonment, for dealing in one kilograms of Cannabis Sativa popularly called marijuana.
The 30 years old convict, was however given a fine option of N400, 000,00 in lieu of the sentence.
The prosecutor, N. J. Mamza had told the court that the convicted drug peddler was arrested on May 1, 2024, at the popular 2024, along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, where he was trading the prohibited ‘weed’.
The prosecutor told the court the illegal act of the convict, contravened section 11(c) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ACT Cap N.30 Laws of the Federal Republic Of Nigeria 2004, and punishable under the same Act.
Upon the reading of the case to the convict, he admitted selling the prohibited ‘weed’ and pleaded guilty to the charge.
Based on his guilty plea, prosecutor urged the court to convict and sentence him in accordance with the section of the NDLEA act he was charged with.
However, the convict’s lawyer, Bolanle Kolawole, urged the court to consider the timely guilty plea of his client and give him a non-custodian sentence.
The lawyer also urged the court to give the convict a fine option in lieu of the jail-term.
Based on the lawyer’s plea for mercy and the judge having confirmed from the prosecutor that that the convict is a first time offender without any record of previous conviction, sentenced him to three years imprisonment.
Justice Dipeolu however ordered the convict’s to pay a fine option of N400, 000. 00, in lieu of the jail-term.
Charge Against the convict Reads: “that you, Oluwafemi Williams, adult, Male, 30 years old, on or about the 1st of May, 2024, along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway within the jurisdiction of this honourable Court, without lawful authority dealt in 1kg of Cannabis a Narcotic drug similar to Cocaine, Heroin and LSD and thereby Committed an offence as provided for and punishable under section 11(c) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ACT Cap N.30 Laws of the Federal Republic Of Nigeria 2004.”
