Court remands 64-year-old man for drug trafficking

A Federal High Court in Lagos on Thursday ordered the remand of a 64-year-old man, Andrew Nwaochichi, at the Ikoyi Prisons for dealing in cannabis sativa, popularly called Indian hemp. Nwaochichi was arraigned on a charge of drug trafficking by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency. He pleaded guilty to the charge. Following his plea, the prosecutor, Mr Jeremiah Aernan, prayed the court to issue a remand order against the accused. “In view of the plea of the accused, I pray my lord for an order of remand against the accused,” he said. Consequently, Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia, ordered the accused to be remanded at the Ikoyi Prisons, and adjourned the case till January 14, 2016, for a review of facts and sentencing. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the prosecutor had told the court that the accused committed the offence on September 15. He said that the accused was arrested at Monkey Village in Amuwo Odofin area of Lagos, where he engaged in the sale of cannabis sativa. The prosecutor said that the accused was arrested on a tip off and consequently, taken into custody by the NDLEA. He said the offence contravened the provisions of Section 11(c) of the NDLEA Act, Cap N30 Laws of the Federation, 2004. NAN reports that the offence of drug trafficking attracts up to a term of life imprisonment if convicted.