Returnee from prison jailed again for selling Indian hemp
A Federal High Court in Lagos State, on Wednesday, sentenced a 30-year-old jailbird, Afiz Isah, to another seven years imprisonment for illegally trading in 3.9 kilogrammes of Indian hemp.
Justice Okon Abang convicted Isah and jailed him after he pleaded guilty to the charge.
He said that the convict, who appeared unrepentant, was recently convicted and sentenced to 18 months imprisonment by another judge for the same offence.
Abang, however, said that Isah’s jail terms would take effect from the date of his arrest.
He said that his conviction was to deter others who depend on illicit drug business.
The judge said that the conviction was in accordance with the provision of sections of the Criminal Procedure Act, Laws of the Federation, 2004.
He also ordered that bulk of the drug found with the convict should be returned to the prosecutor for destruction.
The prosecutor, Mr Jeremiah Aernan, an officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), had, during the trial, presented facts of the case before the court.
Aernan told the court that Isah committed the offence on July 23, 2013 at his residence, Atubaje Street, Agege, Lagos.
The prosecutor told the court that the convict was caught by a team of NDLEA officers when he was unlawfully dealing in the 3.9 kilogrammes of India hemp.
Aernan said that the offence contravened Section 11 (c) of the NDLEA Act, Cap N30, Laws of the Federation, 2004.
He, therefore, tendered in evidence, the certificate of test analysis, bulk of the hard drug weighing 3.9 kilogrammes, report of test analysis, certificate of drug analysis and the convict's confessional statement.
The items were admitted in evidence as exhibits.
The prosecutor prayed the court to convict and sentence the convict based on his plea.
The convict, however, prayed the court to be lenient with him, adding that he would not go back to such illicit business again.
