Man, 65, sentenced 15 years for possessing hard drugs

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(Nigeria) A Federal High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State on Monday sentenced a cocoa farmer, Dominic Fabunmi, 65, to 15 years in prison for possessing Indian Hemp.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, dragged Fabunmi to court for being in possession of 273.8 kg of the substance in February 19, 2008.

The trial judge, Justice Adamu Hobon, sentenced the convict without an option of fine, saying it would serve as a deterrent to people of his age and others.
According to the judge, the evidences before the court showed that there was a search, arrest and discovery of exhibits on Feb. 19, 2008 at the premises of convict’s house.
``The evidences before the court showed that the prosecution had proven his case beyond reasonable doubt and the evidences in defence were mere after-thoughts. The section under which the convict was charged prescribed a minimum of 15 years jail term upon conviction and 25 years maximum.’’
Hobon said sentenced the accused based on the totality of evidences provided by the prosecution.
``I hereby find the accused guilty as charged and convicted thereof and consequently sentenced to 15 years in prison without an option of fine,” he declared.
He added that exhibit B and the N112,400 offered to NDLEA officers to pervert justice should be forfeited to the Federal Government.
 Prosecutor Iliya Waji had earlier told the court that Fabunmi was caught on February 19, 2008 at Aba-Ilofa in Ajebandele, Ise/ Orun Local Government Area with 273.8 kg of the substance.
Waji said the offence contravened Section 19 of the NDLEA, Cap N30 law of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
 The prosecution presented an amended charge to the court on July 3, 2008.
Wali tendered six witnesses in evident in respect of the case, and the court admitted other tendered materials as exhibits.
Fabunmi, who was represented by a defence counsel, Mr Jide Olayemi pleaded not guilty to the one-count charge.
The counsel prayed the court to temper justice with mercy.

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