A 35-year-old man, Lakum Yusufu, was on Tuesday, sentenced by a Federal High Court in Lagos, to a term of four years in the correctional service, for drug trafficking.
The defendant, unemployed, was first arraigned in 2019 on a one-count charge of drug trafficking .
He had first pleaded not guilty to the charge and trial had commenced, while the prosecution was still leading evidences.
The case was, however, stalled following the COVID-19 pandemic and consequent lockdown.
When trial resumed later in 2021, the defendant opted to change his plea again.
He, consequently, pleaded guilty to the charge on his re-arraignment
The court had accordingly, adjourned the case for a review of facts and sentencing of the defendant.
On Tuesday, the prosecutor, Mr Jeremiah Aernan reviewed the facts of the case before the court and tendered some exhibits including: “Statement of the defendant, drug analysis form, request for scientific aid form, a large envelope, remnant of the narcotics, among others.”
He, consequently, urged the court to convict and sentence the defendant, based on his plea, as well as evidences adduced by prosecution.
The court accordingly admitted and marked the exhibits.
In his verdict, Justice Tijani Ringim found the defendant guilty of the offences as charged, and consequently, convicted him.
Ringim sentenced the convict to a term of four years imprisonment beginning from the date of his arrest.
In the charge, the prosecution said that the convict committed the offence on March 26. 2019.
He said that he was arrested at Ijora in Apapa Lagos, for illegally dealing in cannabis which weighed 1.2 kg, and charged to court.
According to prosecution, cannabis is listed in the NDLEA schedule as a banned narcotics similar to cocaine and heroine.
He said that trafficking in same offends the provisions of sections of 11(c) of the NDLEA Act Cap N30, Laws of the Federation 2004. (NAN)
