Lagos Court Sentences Five Women to Two Years in Prison for Cannabis Importation

A Federal High Court in Lagos has convicted and sentenced five women to two years in prison each for the illegal importation of 6.96 kilograms of “Ghana loud,” a potent strain of cannabis sativa, commonly known as marijuana.

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).

Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke convicted and sentenced the women on Monday, October 28, 2024, after they all pleaded guilty to six counts of conspiracy and unlawful importation, charges brought against them by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

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

He stated that Olarigbibe was found with 1.54 kilograms of the substance, while Garuba and Adekunle had 1.47 kilograms and 1.52 kilograms, respectively. Awele and Bola were caught with 1.53 kilograms and 900 grams, respectively.

The prosecutor noted that their actions violated 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, the prosecutor presented the facts of the case and urged the court to impose a sentence reflecting their guilt and the evidence provided. In contrast, defense lawyer Oke Ojakovo requested leniency, highlighting that all five women were first-time offenders who did not delay court proceedings.

He also noted that two of the women are widows solely responsible for their families, asking for either a non-custodial sentence or a fine.

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

However, he also offered them the option of paying a fine of N500,000 and completing 100 hours of community service instead of serving time in prison.