A Federal High Court in Ibadan has sentenced four drug dealers to a total of 48 months in prison for trafficking in hard drugs.
The traffickers are: Muideen Olajide, 46; Onyia Okechukwu, 20; Azeez Sakiru, 18 and Ige Atilola, 32.
In four separate judgments, Justice Joyce Abdulmaleek said that she convicted and sentenced them based on the evidence tendered before her.
She, however, warned each of the convicts that she reduced their sentences because they were first time offenders.
She added that they might not be lucky again if they went back to the crime.
“To serve as deterrent to others still in the illicit business, Olajide and Atilola are each sentenced to six months in prison while Okechukwu and Sakiru are each sentenced to 18 months in prison.
“Furthermore, the hard drugs found in possession of the convicts shall be destroyed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA),” the judge said.
The counsel to the NDLEA, Mr Raphael Himinkaiye, had earlier informed the court that the convicts were each arraigned on a charge bordering on unlawful dealing in hard drugs.
Himinkaiye stated that the convicts committed the crime on Feb. 12, Jan. 26, Jan. 23 and Dec. 15, 2020 respectively, at various locations in Ibadan.
According to the prosecutor, the first convict was apprehended with 500g of Indian hemp and the second with 9.9 kg of cocaine.
He said the third convict was found to be in possession of 10g of cocaine as well as 1.05Kg of cannabis, while the fourth was found with 1.1Kg of Indian hemp.
The counsel noted that the offence was contrary to and punishable under Section 11 (C ) of the NDLEA Act Cap n30 Law of the Federation of Nigeria 2004. (NAN)
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