Merciless Justice? How a Man was Sentenced to Prison for Smoking Publicly in Osun State

 

An Osogbo Magistrate Court on Monday sentenced a 41-year-old man, Waidi Adelabu to 6-month for displaying and smoking Indian hemp also known as cannabis sativa in the public in a manner that can cause breach of peace.

 

The police prosecutor, Elisha Olusegun told the court that the accused person was arrested at Oke-Baale area of Osogbo, capital of Osun State where he was smoking the Indian hemp with impunity.

 

The prosecutor said Adelabu was also caught with two wraps of Indian hemp in his possession apart from the one he was smoking in the public when he was arrested by policemen.

 

The prosecutor said the accused committed offences contrary to and punishable under sections 249(d) and 430(1) of the Criminal Code, Cap 34, Volume II, Laws of Osun State of Nigeria, 2002.

 

When his charges were read to the accused person, he pleaded guilty of the offences levelled against him.

 

His counsel, Mr Kazeem Badmus appealed to the court to be lenient in its judgment.

 

In his judgement, Magistrate Olusola Aluko sentenced the accused person to six months imprisonment with an option of N10,000 fine.

 

The convict paid the fine and has been released.