Court Jails 43-year-old Indian Hemp Peddler For 2 Years

Justice Akintayo Aluko of the Federal High Court in Lagos has convicted and sentenced a 43-year-old Indian hemp peddler, Oluwole Johnson, to two years in prison for illegal dealing in four kilogrammes of “Loud,” a special strain of cannabis sativa.

Justice Aluko jailed Johnson after he pleaded guilty to a one-count charge of unlawful dealing in the prohibited drug brought against him by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

Prosecutor John Negedu had earlier informed the court that the convict was arrested on February 8, 2025, at Lake View Estate, Phase 1, Ago Palace Way, Lagos, while trading in the drug.

Negedu also stated that the offence violated Section 11(c) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, and was punishable under the same Act.

Based on his guilty plea, the prosecutor presented the facts of the case through one of the agency’s operatives and submitted evidence, which the court accepted.

The prosecutor then urged the court to convict and sentence the defendant based on his plea and the evidence presented.

In a plea for leniency, the defence lawyer, Sunday Okwo, argued that his client was a first-time offender with no prior conviction record.

He also told the judge that his client had promised not to engage in illegal activities in the future.

Justice Aluko, in his judgment, sentenced the convict to two years in prison, but he ordered him to pay a fine of N500 instead of the jail term.