Federal High Court of Nigeria in Lagos Jails Two Vendors for Cannabis Trafficking Following Drug Conviction
Justice Akintayo Aluko of the Federal High Court in Lagos sentenced Ezeifeoma Michael and Philip Ucheka, two vendors at the popular Ladipo Spare Parts Market, to five years in prison each for trafficking 55.60 kg of cannabis sativa, or marijuana. On Monday, April 27, 2026, the two were sentenced after entering a guilty plea to an amended charge presented by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency in suit number FHC/L/216C/2026.
The prosecutor, Peter Ekuri, told the court that the unlawful material was concealed in two cars when the prisoners were caught at Ladipo Market on November 27, 2025.
Ekuri reported that “the two were apprehended with 55.60 kilograms of cannabis sativa concealed in two vehicles.”
He identified the vehicles as an ash-colored Hyundai Veloster with registration number MUS 318 FC and chassis number KMHTC6D5CU081675, and a grey Toyota Sienna with chassis number 5TDZK23C475079926.
He claimed that the offence was punishable under Section 11(b) of the NDLEA Act, Cap N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
When the accusation was read earlier, both inmates entered pleas and acknowledged the crime. After they entered a plea, the prosecution urged the court to find them guilty, impose a suitable term, and order the forfeiture of the vehicles used in the trafficking.
In her allocutus, defence lawyer Bolanle Kolawole pleaded for clemency, characterising the convicts as first-time offenders with no prior criminal records.
She urged the court to consider non-custodial sentence because the offenders had expressed regret and promised not to commit crimes in the future.
Justice Aluko determined that a jail sentence was required because of the nature of the offence, despite their plea for mercy.
