In a recent judgment, Justice Mohammed Garba of the Federal High Court in Kaduna handed down five-year prison sentences to Yusuf Garba and Dauda Musa, who pleaded guilty to charges of trafficking in illicit drugs.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) brought the charges against them.
Following their guilty pleas, Justice Garba imposed the five-year imprisonment on each defendant. Additionally, both convicts were given the option of a N500,000 fine.
The case, as presented by NDLEA’s counsel, T. J. Atserhegh, outlined that the defendants were apprehended in Rigachikun, Kaduna, while in possession of 60kg of cannabis sativa. The charges levied against them contravened Section 11 (c) of the NDLEA Act, Cap N30 Law of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
The court was presented with various pieces of evidence, including the certificate of analysis of the drug, drug analysis reports, defendants’ statements, and the cannabis itself, all admitted as exhibits.
Upon reviewing the prosecution’s case, the judge found the defendants guilty as charged and proceeded with the sentencing.
The defence counsel, Hassan Umar, pleaded for leniency, emphasizing the remorse shown by the convicts and their cooperation throughout the legal proceedings.
