Justice Udofot Akpan of the Ibadan Division of the Federal High Court sentenced Yusuf Mustapha, a 42-year-old transporter, to five years’ imprisonment for unlawful possession of 2.12kg of hemp on Monday.

Justice Akpan convicted Mr Mustapha after he pleaded guilty to unlawful dealing in illicit substances.

The judge also held that the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt as required by law.

The judge said the defendant was first arraigned on a count charge of bordering on illegal dealing with narcotic substances.

He said during the trial, NDLEA counsel, O.O. Olusola, told the court that the convict was arrested on January 24, this year, along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.

The judge said he considered the convict’s plea of leniency as he was the first-time offender and reduced the sentence from the maximum years.

He warned the convict against engaging in illicit drug dealing again, as he might obtain the maximum prison sentence.

Mr Akpan sentenced the convict to a five-year jail term to serve as a deterrent to others.

(NAN)