Teenagers Jailed 18 Months for Illegal Drugs Possession

A Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna on Tuesday sentenced two teenagers, Abubakar Aminu, 18 and Abba Lawal, 18, to 20 months imprisonment for unlawful possession of Cannabis Sativa, also known as Indian hemp.

The News Agency of Nigeria reported that the judge, Justice Hadiza Shagari, sentenced the teenagers to 18 months imprisonment each without an option of a fine.

She said that the 18 months imprisonment was in cognisance with the record that the convicts were first-time offenders.

Shagari warned the convicts against indulging in such illicit business after serving their jail term but should be young men of good behaviour.

The convicts, both residents of Ali Akilu Road, were arrested on Jan. 23 by officers of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, at Ungwan Shanu in the Kaduna North Local Government Area.

Counsel for the NDLEA, Mr T. J. Atserhegh, told the court that the convicts were arrested with 2.4kg of Cannabis Sativa.

Atserhegh said that the offence was contrary to and punishable under Section 19 of the NDLEA Act, Cap. N30, LFN, 2004 (As Amended).

When the count was read to the convicts, they pleaded guilty.

Thereafter, the NDLEA counsel applied for a summary trial, since they had pleaded guilty to the charge against them.

“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,’’ Atserhegh said.

The NDLEA tendered the 2.4kg drug contained in a Polythene bag as an exhibit against the convicts