Crime

NDLEA Destroys Hectares of Indian Hemp Farm

By Web News 689

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has destroyed fifteen hectares of Indian hemp farm in Imosa, Ijebu-East Local Government, Ogun State.

The exercise which was carried out in conjunction with the state government had the Commissioner for Forestry, Mr. Taiwo Oludotun and the State Commander of NDLEA, Mrs. Archie- Abia Ibinabo, in attendance.

Mr. Taiwo Oludotun, while speaking, said the state government was determined to eradicate illegal activities, especially planting, harvesting, and marketing of narcotics.

The Commissioner noted that the state government had directed all Baales in the area to take a census of the people living among them and their occupations to ascertain the dwellers with no legitimate means of livelihood.

He hinted that the exercise would be sustained to rid the state of anti-social elements and illegal activities.

The NDLEA commander in a remark said the agency got the intelligence report of the plantation from members of the public which led to setting the farm on fire.

Mrs. Ibinabo commended the inter-agency collaboration involved in the burning of the illicit farm.

Wale Oluokun

Crime

Man Bags One Year Jail Term Over Possession of 4.7 Kilos of Indian Hemp

By Web News 704

A 32-year-old man, Babarinde Muritala, has been sentenced to one year imprisonment by a Federal High Court, Osogbo, Osun State, for being in possession of 4.7kg Indian hemp. 

Muritala was arraigned by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, on a one count of unlawful possession of cannabis. 

The convict had told the court during trial that he usually smoke hemp gain strength but that the two bags attributed to him by NDLEA did not belong to him. 

The prosecutor, Mr Ogaga Azuigo, told the court that the defendant was arrested at Akinlalu Village, Modakeke, Osun State. 

He called three witnesses who are officials of the NDLEA and the convict was allowed to defend himself. 

Justice Peter Lifu held that a wrap of Indian hemp which the convict admitted that he was smoking when they arrested him, was enough to believe that Indian hemp was found in his possession. 

The judge convicted him accordingly saying possession has been established and the convict did not deny it. 

However, Mr. D. D. Adegbola, urged the court to be merciful with the convict and discharge him.

The presiding judge, Justice Peter Lifu thereby sentenced Muritala to one-year imprisonment starting from the date of arraignment in February 2019.

Adenitan Akinola