A Federal High Court in Ibadan on Tuesday sentenced a 37-year-old man, Gbenga Ojo, to five years imprisonment for drug trafficking.
Ojo was arraigned by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency on a charge of dealing in restricted narcotics.
The convict pleaded guilty to the charge and begged the court to temper justice with mercy and give him another chance to turn a new leaf.
In her judgment, Justice Uche Agomoh, found the convict guilty as charged and accordingly convicted him.
Justice Uche Agomoh sentenced Ojo after he pleaded guilty for trafficking 250 grammes of Cannabis sativa.
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The judge said that she sentenced Ojo based on the evidence tendered before her and the plea of guilty entered by the convict.
Agomo also said she was convinced that the NDLEA had proved beyond reasonable doubt that Ojo was a drug dealer.
“This judgment is in line with the plea of the convict praying the court to temper justice with mercy and in further consideration that he is remorseful of his action.
“Also, I have taken cognizance of the fact that Ojo is a first time offender who did not waste the time and resources of the court.
“However, to serve as deterrent to others who might be thinking of venturing into drug peddling as a way of life, Ojo is sentenced to five years in prison.
“This sentence starts from the date he was first arrested.
“The 250 grammes of Cannabis shall be destroyed by the NDLEA,” Agomoh said.
Earlier, counsel to the NDLEA, Mr. Raphael Himinkaiye, told the court that the convict was arraigned on a charge of dealing in restricted narcotics.
Himinkaiye added that Ojo committed the offence on March 26, at Bodija, Ibadan, Oyo State.
He said that the agency’s operatives found a bag containing 250 grammes of Cannabis sativa with the convict.
The prosecutor said the offence contravened Section 11 (c) of the NDLEA Act, Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation, 2004.
Ojo pleaded guilty to the charge when it was first read to him. (NAN)
