Estate agent jailed over importation of 32.2kg of Canadian marijuana

An estate agent, Salami Abideen Jide, has been convicted and sentenced to six years’ imprisonment for the unlawful importation of 32.2 kilograms of cannabis sativa, commonly known as marijuana.

Jide was sent to prison by the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, presided over by Justice Ibrahim Ahmad Kala, after he pleaded guilty to a two-count charge bordering on procuring and unlawful importation of the prohibited narcotic drug as filed against him by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

While the arraignment was ongoing, the counsel for the prosecution, C. O. Osaigbovo, informed the court that the convict had, on September 9, 2026, procured one Ebenezer Bayode, a freight forwarding agent of Maykar Ventures, to import the illicit substance from Canada. 

The transaction was said to have taken place at the Skyway Handling Company (SAHCO) Import Shed, a Customs Area/Point at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.

ALSO READ: Osun: Police close in on Emir’s killers, arrest six

The lawyer further stated that the offences contravened Sections 21 (2)(d) and 20 (1)(a) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act Cap. N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and are punishable under Sections 11(a) and 20 (2)(a) of the same Act.

Jide pleaded guilty, prompting the prosecution to review the facts of the case and tender exhibits, including the prohibited substance concealed in a large suitcase and the defendant’s confessional statement. 

Osaigbovo prayed to the court to convict and sentence the defendant in accordance with the law.

But the counsel for the convict, Rachel Mimido Nyiew, pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy, requesting a non-custodial sentence or a fine option in lieu of a jail term.

Justice Kala, in his ruling, sentenced the convict to three years’ imprisonment on each count, with an option of a N3 million fine on each count, alongside 60 days of community service in place of the jail term.

Justice Kala directed that the prison terms shall run concurrently, while the fine options shall run consecutively.

In the criminal charge before the court, it was stated that the convict, on or about September 9, 2026, at the SAHCO Import Shed, procured a freight agent to import 32.20 kilograms of Cannabis Sativa, a narcotic drug similar to cocaine, LSD, and heroin, without lawful authority, thereby committing an offence under the NDLEA Act.