From Nahum Sule, Jalingo
Justice Salim Ibrahim of the Federal High Court, Jalingo, has sentenced two men to prison for dealing in cannabis and psychotropic substances.
“Both defendants pleaded guilty,” said Justice Ibrahim, “and have been sentenced accordingly.”
The two convicted men, Baba Usman (44) and Ammar Abdullahi (22), appeared in court on June 10th and admitted to the charges brought against them by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Justice Ibrahim emphasized that the court’s role, once a defendant pleads guilty to a non-capital offense, is to convict and sentence the defendant if they fully understand the charges and admit to the elements of the offense.
After hearing the confessions and reviewing the evidence presented by the prosecution, Justice Ibrahim confirmed the commission of the offenses. He then sentenced Baba Usman to six months in prison for two charges, and Ammar Abdullahi to one year for four charges, both without the option of a fine. Their sentences will run concurrently from their incarceration date at the NDLEA facility.