Five men, Adeniyi Foluso, Ayodele Yusuf, Fagbayingbe Timileyin, Oluwafemi Pelumi and Lucky Donald, on Friday, appeared before an Ado-Ekiti Magistrates’ Court over alleged illegal possession of Indian hemp.

Messrs Foluso, 36; Yusuf, 19; Timileyin, 30; Pelumi, 24; and Donald, 24, are facing a one-count charge of possession of Indian hemp.

They, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The prosecutor, Akinwale Oriyomi, told the court that the defendants committed the offence on July 29 at 2:30 p.m. at Ado-Ekiti.

Mr Oriyomi alleged that the defendants were caught by a team of policemen with weeds suspected to be Indian hemp.

He said that the defendants were arrested and taken to the police station for further investigation.

Mr Oriyomi said the offence contravened Section 5(b) of the Indian Hemp Act, 2005.

He urged the court to adjourn the case to enable him to study the case file and assemble his witnesses.

Defence Counsel, Oluwafemi Alabi, urged the court to grant his clients bail, promising that they would not jump bail.

The chief magistrate, Abayomi Adeosun, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N50,000 each with one surety in like sum and adjourned the case until September 1 for mention.

(NAN)