A Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna on Thursday sentenced one Gambo Ado, 42, to four years in prison for unlawful possession of 270.1 kilogrammes of Indian hemp.

Ado of Dutsen-Wai in Kubau Local Government Area of Kaduna State was arraigned before Justice Emeka Nwite by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

Counsel to NDLEA, Mr T.J. Atserhgh told the court that the accused committed the offence in 2015.

He said that the offence is contrary to and punishable under Section 11 (d) of the NDLEA Act, Cap N30, Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Atserhegh tendered as exhibits before the court, a certificate of test analyst, a parking of substance form, request for scientific form, statement of the accused and the 270.1 kilogram of cannabis.

Ado who appeared before the court without a counsel, pleaded guilty to the charge and sought for leniency.

“I appeal to this honourable court to tender justice with mercy.

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“I have two wives and 13 children with no one to look after them, but my elder brother who is a beggar,” the convict told the court.

The NDLEA counsel, however, urged the court to disregard the plea of the accused and give him the maximum sentence

“We are not asking for the minimum conviction which is 14 years, but the court should consider the quantity of the drugs in possession of the accused.

“If the drugs have entered the community, one can only imaging the destruction it would have caused,” he said.

In his judgement, Justice Emeka Nwite, sentenced Ado to four years imprisonment without an option of fine and directed the NDLEA to destroy the cannabis.

(NAN)