YAHAYA UMAR V. FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA

IBRAHIM SHATA BDLIYA, J.C.A. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): This is an appeal against the judgment of Hon. Justice Evelyn Anyadike of the Federal High Court (the lower Court) delivered on the 10th of July, 2014, wherein, Yahaya Umar (the appellant) was found guilty, convicted and sentenced to 2 years imprisonment for committing an offence under Section 11(c) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Law, 2004. The facts of the case or the events culminating to the arrest, trial and conviction of the appellant are simple and straight-forward. On or about 23rd of July, 2013 officers of the NDLEA, acting on an information went to the house of the appellant and searched therein. They discovered some substances wrapped in bundles in his bedroom and others in sacks in a store. He was arrested and taken to NDLEA office in Zaria. The substances were examined and analised in his presence and found to be Cannabis Sativa (commonly called Indian Hemp). The appellant was later arraig…