Andrew Nwaochichi "64-year-old" sent to prison custody for selling Indian hemp

A Federal High Court in Lagos State, on Thursday, ordered the remand of a 64-year-old man, Andrew Nwaochichi, at the Ikoyi Prisons for dealing in Indian hemp...


Nwaochichi was arraigned on a charge of drug trafficking by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). He, however, pleaded guilty to the charge.

Following his plea, the prosecutor, Mr Jeremiah Aernan, prayed the court to issue a remand order against the accused.

"In view of the plea of the accused, I pray my lord for an order of remand against the accused," he said.

Consequently, Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia ordered the accused to be remanded at the Ikoyi Prisons and adjourned the case till January 14 for a review of facts and sentencing.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the prosecutor had told the court that the accused committed the offence on September 15.

He said that the accused was arrested at Monkey Village in Amuwo Odofin area of Lagos where he engaged in the sale of Indian hemp.

The prosecutor said that the accused was arrested on a tip off and consequently taken into custody by the NDLEA.

He said the offence contravened the provisions of Section 11(c) of the NDLEA Act, Cap N30 Laws of the Federation, 2004.