A Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna, Kaduna State, on Tuesday, sentenced two teenagers, Abubakar Aminu (18) and Abba Lawal (18), to 18 months imprisonment each for unlawful possession of Indian hemp.
The convicts, residents of Ali Akilu Road, were arrested on January 23, by officers of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at Ungwan Shanu in Kaduna North LGA.
Counsel to NDLEA, T. J. Atserhegh, told the court that the defendants were arrested with 2.4kg of hemp contrary to and punishable under Section 19 of the NDLEA Act, Cap N30, LFN, 2004 (as amended).
The defendants pleaded guilty and the NDLEA counsel applied for summary trial, saying, “My lord, the defendants have owned up to their crime; the court should give them a summary trial and convict them to serve as a deterrent to others.’’
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The Judge, Justice Hadiza Shagari, sentenced the convicts to 18 months imprisonment each without an option of fine.
Similarly, Justice Hadiza sentenced a 28-year-old labourer, Ibrahim Rabiu, to 30 days in prison for unlawful possession of 5.6kg Indian hemp after he pleaded guilty to the charge.
The convict, a resident of Degel Road, Ungwan Rimi, Kaduna, was arrested on January 30 and arraigned by NDLEA. (NAN)
