Justice Uche Agomoh of the Federal High Court, Ibadan Division, on Wednesday sentenced one Yusuf Olaniyan, 30, to two years in prison for dealing in 352gm of cannabis sativa and 0.8gm of methamphetamine, a psychotropic substance.

Delivering judgment, Ms Agomoh said that she convicted and sentenced Olaniyan based on his guilty plea and the evidence tendered against him by the prosecution.

“Olaniyan did admit guilt in all the essential elements tendered against him. Voluntary admission of guilt, whether judicial or extrajudicial is enough to be convicted. Therefore, I am satisfied with the evidence tendered by the prosecution and convict Olaniyan as charged.

“To serve as a deterrent, Olaniyan is sentenced to two years imprisonment for count one and two years for count two. The sentencing shall, however, run concurrently.

“The exhibit found in the possession of the convict shall be destroyed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA),” the judge stated.

The defence counsel, Tope Olayinka, had shortly before the judgment pleaded with the court to be lenient in sentencing his client, noting that he was sober and changed for better.

Mr Olayinka added that the convict’s old parents, wife and little child were in court and would suffer if the full wrath of the law was applied against him.

The prosecuting counsel, D.O. Otunla had earlier informed the court that the convict committed the crime on January 6, at Sawmill, Sango area of Ibadan, Oyo State.

Mr Otunla further said that the NDLEA operatives arrested Olaniyan with a bag containing 352gm of Cannabis Sativa and 0.8gm of methamphetetine, a psychotropic substance.

According to him, the offences contravene the provision of Section 11(C) of the NDLEA Act Cap n30 Law of the Federation, 2004. 

(NAN)