By Olawale Akinremi
A Federal High Court in Ibadan, on Monday, sentenced one Emmanuel Falaye, 49, to one year in Agodi Correctional Centre for trading in 160 grammes of Cannabis Sativa.
Delivering judgment, Justice Nkeonye Maha convicted and sentenced Falaye after he had pleaded guilty to the charge of unlawful dealing in narcotics preferred against him by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Maha said that the court took cognisance of the fact that the convict was a first time offender and had not wasted the time and resources of the court in arriving at its verdict.
She, however, warned that stiffer punishment would be applied against him if caught again after completing his jail term.
“To serve as deterrent to others, Falaye is sentenced to one year imprisonment and the sentence starts from the date he was arrested.
“The weed substance found in his possession shall be destroyed by the NDLEA,” the judge ordered.
The NDLEA Counsel, Mr Daniel Otunla, had earlier told the court that the convict committed the offence on April 6, at Apata area of Ibadan, Oyo State.
According to Otunla, NDLEA operatives acted on a tip-off from informants that Falaye was into the business of illicit drug trading.
He added that the operatives subsequently apprehended the convict in possession of a bag containing 160 grammes of Cannabis Sativa.
The prosecutor said that the offence contravened the provision of Section 11 (C ) of the NDLEA Act Cap N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)