Indian Hemp Dealers Bag 3 Months Community Service, N5m Fine

Justice Musa Kakaki of the Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered three notorious drug dealers, Dada Biodun, Mrs Bamidele Olatokunbo, and 27-year-old Badmus Sodiq, to serve three months of community service for trafficking in nine kilograms of cannabis sativa, commonly known as marijuana.

Justice Kakaki also imposed a N5 million fine on the convicts after they pleaded guilty to a four-count charge of conspiracy, unlawful dealing, and drug trafficking brought against them by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

The prosecutor, Michael Erondu, had earlier informed the judge that the convicts were arrested with the illegal substance on March 1st and 15th, 2026, at Eleran Igbe, Okeogun, in the Epe area of Lagos State.

Erondu had also claimed that the suspects’ illegal activities violated sections 14(b), 11(c), and 11(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, Cap. N30, Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2004.

Based on their plea, the prosecutor reviewed the facts of the case, tendered exhibits, including the suspects’ confessional statements, the majority of the illegal substances, and other evidence.

He then urged the court to convict and sentence the defendants in accordance with the relevant provisions of the NDLEA Act.

However, the defence lawyer, Chief Lilian Omotunde, in her plea for mercy on behalf of the convicts, appealed to the court for leniency in sentencing her clients.

Omotunde argued that her clients were first-time offenders, had not wasted court time, and had no prior convictions.

She, therefore, urged the court to consider a non-custodial sentence as a second chance for her clients.

In his judgment, Justice Kakaki confirmed with the prosecutor that the suspects were first-time offenders with no prior convictions.

He then sentenced them to three months of community service and a fine of N5 million each.

The judge also ordered that the exhibits, including the illegal substances, be destroyed after the appeal period had expired.