Five women jailed over importation of cannabis

A Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday pronounced guilty and sentenced five women to two imprisonment each for the illegal import of 6.96 kilograms of “Ghana loud,” a potent strain of cannabis sativa, commonly known as marijuana.

Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke convicted and sentenced them after they all pleaded guilty to six counts of conspiracy and unlawful importation, charges brought by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency against them.

The convicted women are Basirat  Olarigbibe (also known as Basirat Feyisara Olaribigbe), Fatima Garuba (aka Fatima Ladidi Abogun), Amudalat Adekunle (aka Amudalat Ajetunmobi), Oloye Arafat Awele (aka Akanni Balikis Oluwatoyin), and Ademola Bola (also known as Tolulope Oluwaseun Osibeluwo or Tolulope Ademola).

Earlier, the NDLEA’s prosecution counsel, Andover G. Yuanyam, told the court that the women were apprehended on August 21, 2024, at the Seme Border in Badagry Local Government Area, of Lagos State.

Yuanyam informed the court that Olarigbibe was found in possession of 1.54 kilograms of the substance, while Garuba and Adekunle had 1.47 kilograms and 1.52 kilograms, respectively.

He also told the court that Awele and Bola were also caught with 1.53 kilograms and 900 grams.

According to the prosecutor, the offences committed contravened Sections 14 and 11(a) of the NDLEA Act, Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 (as amended).

After the women pleaded guilty to the charges, the prosecutor presented the facts of the case and urged the court to impose a sentence based on the guilty plea and evidence.

But the defence lawyer, Oke Ojakovo, prayed the court for leniency, noting that all five women were first-time offenders and did not delay court proceedings.

He highlighted that two of the women are widows solely responsible for their families, and requested either a non-custodial sentence or a fine.

After confirming their first-time status, Justice Aneke sentenced each woman to two years in prison, with the sentences to run concurrently.

However, he gave them an option of N500,000 fine and 100 hours of community service in lieu of imprisonment.