The Federal High Court, Lagos, presided over by Justice Deinde Dipeolu, on Wednesday, convicted and sentenced a trader at the Alaba-Rago Market, Ayuba Shittu, for unlawfully dealing in 1.606 kilograms of Tramadol, a prohibited analgesic.
The 31-year-old trader was sentenced to three months in prison by Justice Dipeolu after pleading guilty to a one-count charge of drug trafficking brought against him by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Prior to the verdict, the prosecutor, Julian Negedu informed the judge that the convict was arrested on July 10, 2025, at Alaba-Rago Market where he had concealed the illegal substance inside two Public Address System speakers.
The prosecutor, citing Section 247(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, urged the court to convict and sentence Shittu based on his plea, exhibits tendered, and confessional statement.
However, the defence lawyer, Godwin Okaka, urged the court to show mercy, arguing that his client’s early admission of guilt demonstrated remorse.
Okaka also informed the judge that his client has vowed not to engage in any criminal activities in the future.
In his judgment, Justice Dipeolu agreed with the prosecutor that Shittu had no prior criminal record and sentenced him to three months in prison.
The judge also imposed N3million fine on the convicted trader as alternative to the jail term.
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