A Federal High Court in Ibadan, on Monday sentenced a man, Tesleem Bolaji to one year imprisonment for trafficking 1.1 kg of hemp.

Delivering his judgment, Justice Ekerete Akpan said that Bolaji was convicted based on the convincing evidence tendered by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

He said that the convict’s jail term was reduced because he pleaded guilty to the charge.

”The the constitution prescribes a reduced sentence for anyone who pleads guilty upon arraignment.

”It is my hope that the convict is truly remorseful of his action and has turned a new leaf.

”However, to serve as a warning to other would-be traffickers, Bolaji is sentenced to one year in prison with an option of N150,000 fine,” Akpan held.

The judge directed the NDLEA to destroy the exhibits found in the convict’s possession.

Earlier, the defense counsel, Mr Joseph Adeoye, prayed the court to temper justice with mercy in sentencing his client.

Adeoye contended that the convict did not waste the time of the court and that he was a first time offender.

The NDLEA Counsel, Mr Daniel Otunla, told the court that Bolaji was prosecuted for unlawful possession of drug.

Otunla added that the convict committed the crime on March 6, in Ogbomoso.

He said that NDLEA operatives apprehended Bolaji with a black bag containing the illicit substance weighing 1.1 kg.

The prosecutor said that Bolaji’s arrest followed reliable intelligence reports from members of the public.

He said that the offence contravened section 11(C ) of the NDLEA Act Cap n30 Law of the Federation, 2004

.(NAN)