Court Jails Drug Trafficker 18 Months

Justice Nkeonye Maha of the Federal High Court, Ibadan, Oyo State, has sentenced one Jamiu Omobolaji to one and a half years imprisonment for dealing in 848 grammes of Cannabis Sativa.

Maha convicted and sentenced Omobolaji yesterday after he pleaded guilty to a one-count charge of unlawful dealing in narcotics brought against him by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Oyo State Command.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the judge said she considered the fact that the convict showed remorse, was a first-time offender and promised to turn a new leaf if given a second chance.

She, however, warned that a stiffer punishment would be imposed if he was brought before the court again for any crime.

“However, this will serve as a deterrent to others. Omobolaji is sentenced to one and a half years’ imprisonment. The sentence takes effect from the date of his arrest.

“The exhibits found in the convict’s possession are forfeited to the NDLEA and shall be destroyed,” Maha said.

Earlier, the defence counsel, Mr Musbau Olapade, pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy in sentencing his client, saying his mother and siblings depended on him for survival.

“My Lord, Omobolaji has confided in me that he will never go back into drug trafficking.

“I have spoken to him on the dangers inherent in it, and he has changed,” Olapade said.

The prosecutor, Mr D.O. Otunla, had told the court that the convict committed the offence on December 13, 2025, in Ogbomoso, Oyo State.

Otunla said NDLEA operatives acted on intelligence reports that Omobolaji was involved in illicit drug dealing.

He said the operatives arrested the convict in possession of a black nylon bag containing 848 grammes of Cannabis Sativa.

He added that the offence contravened Section 11(c) of the NDLEA Act, Cap N30, Laws of the Federation, 2004.