ABUBAKAR MOHAMMED V. FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA

TIJJANI ABUBAKAR, J.C.A. (Delivering The Leading Judgment): The Appellant Abubakar Mohammed was arraigned before the Federal High court Ilorin presided over by A. O. Faji J. on the 18th day of March, 2011.

The charge against the Appellant reads as follows

"That you, ABUBAKAR MOHAMMED, male, adult on or about the 18th day of March 2011, along Jebba/Mokwa express way at Boda Sa'adu in Moro Local Government Area of Kwara State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court, without lawful authority dealt in 20 kilogrammes of Cannabis Sativa (otherwise known as Indian Hemp) a drug similar to Cocaine, heroin, LSD, etc. and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 11(c) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004".

On the 12th day of April, 2011, Appellants plea was taken when charge was read to him, he pleaded guilty, thereupon the court found him guilty and he was convicted and sentenced to two and half year…