Al Hil, a.k.a. Akuskura, The Herbal Mixture, That Sent The Malian To Prison
A Mali citizen, Mohammed Dambele, was today convicted and sentenced to two years imprisonment, for being in possession of a herbal drink laced with Cannabis Sativa, popularly called Marijuana.
The Malian was given the jail-term by Justice Tijjani Ringim, after he pleaded guilty to one count amended charge.
The convict, according to the prosecutor, Paul Awogbuyi, was arrested on September 27, 2022, at Ebute-ero jetty, Lagos Island, Lagos, with 400 bottles of Al Hil herbal mixture, popularly known as “akuskura”.
The prosecutor told the court that the said herbal mixture was laced with Cannabis Sativa also known as Marijuana, which he said was a prohibited substance, which he attempted to export to his country, Mali.
The prosecutor told the court that the offences committed contravened 11(b) of the National Drug Law Enforceme Agency (NDELA) Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN) 2004, and punishable under the same Act.
The Malian, pleaded guilty to the offence when the charge was read to him.
Following his guilty plea, the prosecutor reviewed the facts of the charge, and urged the court to convict and sentence him in accordance with section 11(b) of the National Drug Law Enforceme Agency (NDELA) Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN) 2004.
But counsel to the Malian, Mr. G. O. Okaka, pleaded with the court to tamper justice with mercy in sentencing him, saying that his client never know that the product is a prohibited one since it has National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) approval number.
Justice Ringim after hearing counsel’s submissions and cited plethoras of legal authorites, sentenced the convict to two years imprisonment.
The judge however held that the convict’s jail-term commences from September 27, 2022, when he was arrested.
