Man flogged for smoking Indian hemp
A middle-aged man. Mohammed Mamoodu was last Thursday ordered to be flogged seven strokes of the cane by an Abuja Upper Area Court for smoking substance suspected to be Indian hemp.
The convict was arraigned alongside one Tunde Yusuf, Akor Godwin and Darlinton Achineke on a one count charge of constituting nuisance, an offence punishable under Section 199 of the Penal Code.
Police prosecutor, Ambi Ayuba, told the court that on November 2, 2010, the accused persons were arrested at a black spot in Area 1, Angwa Tiv, Cadastral Zone B, Durumi Abuja, by a team of policemen led by one ASP Wazinto.
He further told the court that the accused persons were caught smoking dry leaves suspected to be Indian hemp and were also drinking at the black spot when the arrest was made.
The prosecutor said the accused persons could also not give satisfactory account of themselves during interrogations.
When the one-count charge was read to the accused persons, the first accused person, Mohammed Mamoodu pleaded guilty and begged for leniency while the three others pleaded not guilty and requested for bail.
Judge Umar Yusuf Kagarko ordered that the first accused person that pleaded guilty be given seven strokes of the cane and granted the bail request of the remaining three accused persons that denied the charge in the sum of N20,000 each with a reliable surety in like sum.
The case was adjourned to December 7 for hearing.
Daily Trust Monday 8th November 2010
Page 59
By Itodo Daniel Sule & Abdulkadir Y. Abdullahi
