CHUKWUDI UGWANYI V. FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA

BODE RHODES-VIVOUR, J.S.C. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): The appellant was charged and arraigned on a one count charge which reads:

"That you Chukwudi Ugwanyi (M) 50 years of age, of No. 4 Arowojobe street Onigbongbo Maryland, Lagos on or about the 17th November 2000 at Bodinga along Sokoto-Yauri Road, Sokoto within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, and without lawful authority had in your possession 26 kilograms of Indian Hemp otherwise known as cannabis sativa, a narcotic Drug similar to cocaine and Heroine and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 10H of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (Amendment) Act No.15 of 1992.

Hobon, J of the Federal High Court Sokoto Division presided. The appellant entered a not guilty plea. Two witnesses testified for the prosecution. Both of them are officers from the National Drug law Enforcement Agency; (NDLEA). The prosecution tendered in court the following items, which were admitted as Exhibits:

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