A Federal High Court in Ibadan has sentenced 25-year-old drug trafficker Ibrahim Abdulateef to six months in prison for unlawfully possessing 700 grams of hemp.
Justice Uche Agomoh delivered the ruling on Monday, citing evidence from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and Abdulateef’s guilty plea. The judge noted that, according to Section 270 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA 2015), a reduced sentence is warranted when a defendant pleads guilty, as this conserves court resources.
However, she emphasized that the sentence serves as a deterrent to others considering similar illegal activities. The prison term is retroactive to the date of Abdulateef’s arrest, and the judge remarked that while remorse is commendable, the convict must completely avoid future criminal behavior.
The NDLEA has been ordered to destroy the seized marijuana. Abdulateef’s defense counsel, Mr. Musibau Olapade, had requested leniency, stating that his client expressed a desire to reform. The NDLEA’s representative, Mrs. O.O. Olorunsola, confirmed that Abdulateef was arrested on February 24, 2023, in Ibadan with the illicit substance concealed in a bag, which violated Section 11(C) of the NDLEA Act.
Peoplesmind
