The Ibadan Division of the Federal High Court on Thursday, sentenced a 39-year-old landlord, Ahmed Kehinde, to two years imprisonment for allowing his residence to be used in storing 77.6 kg of hemp.
According to Raphael Himinkaiye, counsel to the NDLEA, Oyo State Command, the landlord was arraigned on one count of unlawful harbouring of cannabis.
Operatives of the NDLEA had apprehended Mr Kehinde on August 14, 2021, at 1 Rockview area, Iyana Agbala, Egbeda Local Government, Ibadan, for having sacks containing 77.6 kg of narcotics, stored up in his house.
Himinkaiye noted that the offence contravened the provisions of Section 12 of the NDLEA act Cap N30 Law of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
The quoted section of the Act prescribes a maximum of life imprisonment for anyone convicted.
The defence counsel, J. Morakinyo, had before the judgment prayed the court to exercise its discretionary powers in reducing his client’s punishment.
Meanwhile, Justice Uche Agomoh, while delivering his judgment held that he convicted and sentenced Kehinde based on the evidence tendered before him, by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Mr Agomoh consequently sentenced Mr Kehinde to two years jail term from the date he was first arrested.
“This judgment takes into cognisance, the plea of the defence counsel for the court to temper justice with mercy in respect of his client.
“More so that the convict is a first time offender and did not waste the time and resources of the court.
“However, I want the convict to realise that being an ex-convict will remain a stigma on his image and he should not partake in any form of crime again.
“Maximum punishment will be applied on you if caught again. The weed exhibit found in possession of the convict shall be destroyed by the NDLEA,” Mr Agomoh stated.