Justice Lewis Allagoa of a Federal High Court Lagos, on Tuesday, convicted and sentenced a 28-year-old man, Chigozie Anyikalam, to 12 months imprisonment over drug trafficking.

The court, however, gave the convict an option of N300,000 fine.

The convict was arraigned on one-count charge bordering on unlawful deal in cannabis at the Young Shall Grow Motor Park.

He pleaded guilty to the charge.

Following his plea, the prosecutor, N.J Mamza, proceeded to review the facts of the case and tendered several exhibits which were admitted and marked by the court.

Mamza then urged the court to convict and sentence the defendant based on his plea and evidence presented by prosecution.

The court accordingly convicted the defendant.

After a plea for mercy on behalf of the convict by the defence counsel, Okeh Ojakovo, the court sentenced the convict to a term of 12 months in the correctional service.

The court also gave the convict an option of N300,000 fine in lieu.

According to the charge, the convict was said to have committed the offence on May 2, at the Young Shall Grow Park, Cele, Apapa Road.

The prosecutor said the convict dealt in 1.52kg of cannabis sativa a.k.a hemp at the motor park, without lawful authority.

She said that hemp is a psychotropic substance which is similar to cocaine, heroin, and other hard drugs prohibited by law.

The offence contravenes the provisions of section 11(c) of the NDLEA Act Cap N30 Law of the Federation2004.(NAN)