Nigeria: Lagos Court sends man to jail over marijuana deal
By Zuleihat Owuiye, Mamos Nigeria
A Federal High Court in Lagos has sentenced a 35-year-old man, Deji Adesanya, to six months in prison after finding him guilty of trafficking marijuana.
The sentence was handed down on Tuesday after Adesanya admitted to unlawfully dealing in cannabis, commonly known as marijuana. His guilty plea followed a one-count charge brought against him by drug enforcement authorities.
According to details presented in court, Adesanya was arrested on November 22, 2025, at an apartment in the Ikate–Elegushi area of Lagos. He was found in possession of five kilograms of cannabis, a substance banned under Nigerian law.
The prosecution told the court that Adesanya had no legal approval to handle or distribute the drug, making his actions a clear violation of the law. Several exhibits were presented to support the case, and the court was urged to deliver judgment based on the plea and evidence.
During sentencing, Adesanya’s lawyer appealed for mercy, asking the court to consider his client’s remorse, his decision to plead guilty early, and his promise to stay away from illegal activities in the future. The defence also requested a non-custodial sentence.
In his ruling, the judge noted that Adesanya had no prior criminal record and was a first-time offender. Taking this into account, the court sentenced him to six months’ imprisonment, with an option to pay a fine of ₦450,000 instead.
