An India hemp dealer, Taofeek Muraina, has been convicted and sentenced to three years imprisonment, by a Federal High Court Lagos, for dealing unlawfully in 141 kilograms of the prohibited weeds
Justice Deinde Dipeolu who presided over the court passed the sentence on the convicted man, after he pleaded guilty to a count charge made against him by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) operatives.
The judge however gave the convict a leeway, when he ordered him to pay the sum of N3 million as a fine option to the term of imprisonment.
The convict, according to the prosecutor, Barrister Juliana O. Negedu, was arrested with the substance on November 13, 2025, at the popular Otto Park, in Lagos Mainland area of Lagos State.
The prosecutor told the court that the convict concealed the prohibited substance in a Toyota Venza with marked MUS 113 YK, and. Chassis No. WV2ZZZTOZPHO19291.
The prosecutor informed the court that the illegal act of the convict, was contrary to and punishable under section 11(a) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
The 46 years old convict, admitted committing the illegal act, and pleaded guilty to the charge when it was read to him.
Based on his guilty plea, the prosecutor reviewed the facts of the charge, tendered exhibits, and urged the court to convict and sentence him in accordance to his guilty plea, exhibit tendered and confessional statements.
But lawyer to the convict, Barrister Bolanle Kolawole, pleaded with the court to be merciful to her client.
She told the court that her client was a first time offender who did not have any records of previous conviction. The position which was confirmed by the prosecutor.
Based on the above, Justice Dipeolu sentenced the convict to three years imprisonment. But ordered him to pay N3 million as option of fine.
Charge against the convict reads: “That you TAOFEEK MURAINA, Male, 46 Years on or about the 13thNovember, 2025 at Otto Park, Oyingbo Lagos State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court trafficked 141 Kilograms of Cannabis Sativa, narcotic drug similar to cocaine, heroin and LSD using a Toyota Venza with Registration No. MUS 113 YK, Chassis No. WV2ZZZTOZPHO19291 and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 11(a) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.”
