A Federal High Court, Lagos, has remanded a United Kingdom returnee, Olu Marshall, in the Correctional center, for allegedly importing 700 grams of Canada Loud, a special species of Cannabis Sativa also known as marijuana into the country.
Justice Ayounle Faji who presided over the court, remanded the UK returnee, who pleaded not guilty to a two count-charge of conspiracy and unlawful import of the said banned substance.
The defendant according to the prosecutor, Barrister Abu Ibrahim, was arrested with the banned weed on November 5, 2024, at the Skyway Handling Company (SHCO) Ikeja-Lagos, a Customs Area/Point of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Ikeja-Lagos.
He was alleged to have conspired with one Potter, who is said to be at large.
The defendant’s illegal acts, the prosecutor said is against sections 14(b) and 20(1)(a) and punishable under section 20(2)(a) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
The defendant Olu Marshall, had denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Following his not guilty plea, the prosecutor asked the court for a trial date.
He also urged the court to remand him, pending the determination of the charge.
But lawyer to the defendant, Barrister Jude Ehiedu, told the court that he had filed his client’s bail application and same has been served on the prosecutor.
Responding, the prosecutor, Mr. Abu, while admitted of being served with the bail application on November 9, however stated that he intend to respond to the application.
Based on the parties’ submissions, Justice Faji adjourned the matter March 12 and 13, 2025, for trial.
The judge, while ordered that the defendant be remanded till trial date, however ordered parties to approach the vacation judge, for the hearing and determination of the defendant’s bail application.
Charges Against The Defendant Read: “That you Olu Marshal male, adult on or about the 5 November 2024 conspired with one POTER (now at large) to import 700Grams of Cannabis Sativa a.k.a. Canada Loud, a Narcotic Drug, from the United Kingdom, and you thereby committed an act which is an offence contrary to and punishable under section 14 (b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
“That you Olu Marshal male, adult on or about the 5th November 2024 during the clearance of cargoes from the United Kingdom at the Skyway Handling Company Ikeja-Lagos, a Customs Area/Point of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Ikeja-Lagos without lawful authority imported 700Grams of Cannabis Sativa a.k.a. Canada Loud, a Narcotic Drug, from the United Kingdom and you thereby committed an act which is an offence contrary to section 20(1)(a) and punishable under section 20(2)(a) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.”
In a related development, Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa of the same division of the court, has convicted and sentenced a drug trafficker, Lateef Sunday Oladipupo, to three years imprisonment with an option of N5 million, for trafficking in 517 Kilograms of Cannabis Sativa, a.k.a. marijuana.
The judge convicted and sentenced the drug trafficker, after he pleaded guilty to a count charge of unlawful transportation of the prohibited drug.
The prosecutor, Mariam I. Erondu told the court that the convict was arrested with the drug on October 5, 2024 at Customs Check Point, Church Gate, Mile 2, Badagry Expressway, Badagry LGA, Lagos, Lagos.
The prosecutor had told the court that the convict concealed the drug in a Yellow Mazda bus with Registration No. JGB 736 XB Ogun State.
The prosecutor told the court that the action of the convict contravened section 11(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
The convict admitted to have committed the illegal act, and pleaded guilty to the charge.
Upon the convict’s guilty plea, the prosecutor after tendering exhibits in the charge, urged the court to convict and sentence him in accordance with the NDLEA Act he was charged with.
However, the convict’s lawyer, Barrister Spurgeon Ataene leading Sunday Ekwo, in his allucutor, pleaded with the court to tamper justice with mercy in sentencing his client.
Barrister Ataene also urged the court to consider the timely guilty plea of his client, as a sign of remorsefulness and to grant him a non-custodian sentence.
Justice Lewis-Allagoa in his judgment, sentenced the convict to three years imprisonment. But ordered him to pay a fine option of N5 million in lieu of the jail-term.
Charge Against The Convict Reads: “That you, Lateef Sunday Oladipupo, Male; 41 years and on or about the 5th day of October, 2024 at Customs Check Point, Church Gate, Mile 2, Badagry Expressway, Badagry LGA, Lagos, Lagos State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable without lawful authority transported 35.4 Kilogrames of Cannabis Sativa a drug similar to Cocaine, Heroin and LSD using your Yellow Mazda with Registration No. JGB 736 XB Ogun State and you thereby committed an offence as provided for and punishable under Section 11 (b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency p N 30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.”
