By Ado Oyeyemi
A Federal High Court sitting in Kano has sentenced a 28-year-old man, Ashiru Idris, to seven years imprisonment without the option of a fine for advertising cannabis on social media.
The conviction was announced by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in a statement issued by the Media and Advocacy Officer of its Kano Strategic Command, Sadiq Muhammad Maigatari.
According to the agency, Justice S.M. Shuaibu delivered the judgment on July 14, 2026, after finding Idris guilty of promoting cannabis sativa for sale through an online video.
The NDLEA said the convict was arrested on April 22, 2026, after operatives of the Kano Strategic Command acted on intelligence regarding a viral social media clip in which he openly advertised cannabis for sale.
The arrest was carried out on the directive of the State Commander, CN DY Lawal.
The agency described the court’s verdict as a significant milestone in its campaign against the illegal drug trade, noting that the seven-year prison term will take effect from the date of the judgment.
Reacting to the ruling, Lawal said the judgment sends a clear message that individuals who use public platforms to promote or sell illicit drugs will be held accountable under the law.
He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to identifying and prosecuting drug offenders, stressing that the command would continue to act promptly on credible intelligence to curb drug trafficking and abuse.
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The NDLEA also appealed to members of the public to support its anti-drug campaign by providing useful information that could assist security agencies in tackling the menace.
