Justice Binta Nyako of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court sentenced Muhammad Adamu, a 28-year-old man, to eight months in jail for possession of 300 grammes of marijuana on Monday.

Mr Muhammad’s sentence followed his guilty plea to a charge of unlawful possession of marijuana preferred against him by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

During his arraignment, the prosecuting counsel, M.O. Adegene, tendered some exhibits, including the seized drugs, before the judge and prayed the court to convict him.

The defendant’s counsel, Stephen Magondo, however, prayed the court to temper justice with mercy since his client was a first-time offender who did not waste the time of the court.

“He pleaded guilty as early as when he was arrested in December 2023,” Mr Magondo said.

The defence counsel also told the court that the defendant was remorseful and, as such, deserved a second chance to make amends.

The lawyer said the defendant was also married, had three children and was the breadwinner of his family.

Delivering her judgement after a review of the facts, the judge found the defendant guilty as charged and convicted him accordingly.

Ms Nyako subsequently sentenced the convict to eight months in prison, which would start counting from when he was arrested in December 2023.

She also directed that the convict, after his term in the correctional centre, undergo four months of counselling by the NDLEA.

(NAN)