Justice Patricia Ajoku of the Federal High Court Ibadan, on Monday sentenced a 40-year-old serial drug dealer, David Ndidi, to a total of five years in prison for trafficking 6,170 kg of Indian hemp.

Ajoku said that she convicted and sentenced Ndidi based on the evidence before her and the fact that he pleaded guilty to the crime.

“Drug trafficking has remained a big social problem in the Nigerian society, and if not tackled with all seriousness might worsen. I wonder what would happen if 6,170 kg of cannabis is allowed to go into circulation”.

“Therefore, to serve as deterrent to others intending to go into illegal drug dealing, Ndidi is sentenced to three years in prison for count one and two years in prison for count two”.

“The sentences shall run concurrently. The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) shall destroy the cannabis,” the judge said.

Earlier, Mr Raphael Himinkaiye, counsel to the NDLEA in Oyo State, had informed the court that the convict was arraigned on a two-count charge bordering on unlawful transportation and dealing in Indian Hemp.

Himinkaiye added that the convict committed the crime on Nov. 28, 2014, on Eleja Road, Ona Ara Local Government Area of Oyo State.

He further stated that Ndidi was apprehended in a dark truck marked XR967JJJ and conveying 671 sacks weighing 6,170 kg of the illicit substance.

According to the prosecutor, the offence contravened Sections 11 (B) AND (C ) of the NDLEA Act Cap N30 Laws of the Federation, 2004.

Ndidi had been jailed by another court in Osun for a similar offence and was brought to court from Ilesa Correctional Centre where he was serving his jail term. (NAN)