IFEANYI CHIYENUM BLESSING V. FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA

KUDIRAT MOTONMORI OLATOKUNBO KEKERE-EKUN, J.S.C. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): On 21/3/2011 the appellant was arraigned before the Federal High Court, Ilorin on a three-count amended charge dated 16/3/2011 for unlawfully dealing with 2.4 and 15.3 kilograms respectively of Indian Hemp, and unlawful possession of Indian Hemp contrary to Sections 11(c) and 19 of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act Cap, N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN), 2004. She pleaded not guilty to each count.

In proof of the charge, the prosecution called four witnesses and tendered several exhibits. In her defence, the appellant called one witness and testified on her own behalf. In the course of trial, she objected to the admissibility of her statement to the NDLEA officers on the ground that it was involuntarily made. A trial within trial was conducted. The court held that the statement was voluntary and admitted it in evidence as Exhibit 8. In a well considered Judgment delivered …