Court sentences 19-year-old student to one year imprisonment for possession of 1.038kg of cannabis

Justice Giwa Ogunbanjo, of the Federal High Court on Monday in Abuja, sentenced a 19-year-old student, Richard Daniel, to one-year imprisonment for being in possession of 1.038kg of Cannabis Sativa.

Daniel who was arrested on Nov. 26, 2019, in Abuja with substances in a small black bag suspected to be Cannabis Sativa, pleaded guilty to the one count of unlawful possession of cannabis.

"The sentence is to begin from the date of his arrest.

"The court orders that the drugs be destroyed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) within 90 days of this judgment.

"Based on Section 19 of the NDLEA ACT, there is no option for fine and the offence attracts a minimum of 15 to 25 years imprisonment,” she said.

She, however, said that she was lenient on the convict because of the amount of drugs seized, testimony of the convict’s remorseful father in court and the age of the convict.

She held that the sentence was a reformatory one with the hope that he would repent after serving his jail term.

Earlier, Prosecution witness, Mr Midanla Obida, Assistant Superintendent of Narcotics with NDLEA, said that Daniel willingly wrote his statement and was cautioned afterward.

He said that the substances were sent to Lagos state NDLEA forensic unit for test and the result came in positive to illicit drugs.

NDLEA Counsel, M.M. Faruna tendered before the court; a certificate of test analysis form, NDLEA packaging of substance form, NDLEA request for scientific aid form, drug analysis report and bulk of the Cannabis Sativa.

Defence Counsel, Mr Alex Shija, pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy adding that if he goes to jail at his age, he might not change from the act,” he said.

Father to the convict, Daniel, appreciated the Judge for handling the case in a just way and assured the court of his son’s willingness to turn a new leaf.