Nkereuwem Cosmas
Justice Rilwan Aikawa of the Federal High Court Ikoyi has sentenced a deaf and dumb man who is a security guard to five years imprisonment each for dealing on cannabis and cocaine.
The deaf and dumb, Abbas Ahmed 23,was arrested by police officers on the 5th of February 2014 along Agege Motor Road, Agege Lagos arrested while selling a kilogramme of cannabis, a narcotic drug similar to cocaine contrary to and punishable under Section 11 (c) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2001.
Also Adebowale Michael, 22, who was arrested with four pinches of cocaine weighing 0.7 grammes at Oniru Estate, Lekki Ajah Lagos by youths in February 2017 and handed him over to the police was charged for unlawful dealing in cocaine contrary to and punishable under the NDLEA Act.
After a protracted trial of Abbas in which the court engaged the services of an interpreter to communicate with him, he recently pleaded guilty as charged. The prosecuting counsel, barrister Jeremiah Aernan asked to court to apply the punishment prescribed by the law strictly so as to deter others from getting involved in drug trafficking. The convicts also pleaded for mercy urging the court to consider their young age and the fact that they are first offenders.
Justice Aikawa in his ruling noted that drug trafficking particularly in cocaine is an international crime that has smeared the reputation of the country and must be seriously dealt with. He therefore sentenced both convicts to five years imprisonment each.
NDLEA Chairman/Chief Executive, Col. Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah (retd.) commended the youths that arrested Adebowale.
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