A Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday sentenced a woman, Omolola Kayode, for trafficking in marijuana. Kayode, 30, was arraigned by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) before Justice Mohammed Kala on a count charge of drug trafficking, which she pleaded guilty.
Following her guilty plea, the court reviewed the facts of the case, with NDLEA counsel, Mr P. O. Ajoku, calling a staff of NDLEA, Mr Aliyu Mohammed Ogah, to present evidence. When asked by the judge to confirm or deny the evidence as adduced by prosecution, the defendant confirmed the facts.
The judge consequently found her guilty as charged.
Her counsel, Chief Lilian Omotunde, prayed the court to tamper justice with mercy. She told the court that the defendant was a first-time offender and a single parent with two children.
Kala sentenced the defendant to one year imprisonment with an option of N100,000 fine. He added that the convict would carry out one month community service. In the charge, the NDLEA accused Kayode of committing the offence on May 21 at the Carnal area of Festac Town, Lagos State.
It said that the convict and one other person known as “commander”, now at large, illegally dealt in 259g of Marijuana. The offence contravenes Section 11(c) of the NDLEA Act, 2004