2 docked over alleged possession of Indian hemp

Two men, Olamide Durojaye, 26 and Sodiq Hammed, 29, were on Friday docked before an Ile-Ife Magistrates’ Court for alleged possession of Indian hemp.

The Prosecutor, Insp. Sunday Osanyintuyi, told the court that the defendants committed the offence on Sept. 17, 2021 around 08:30 a.m.  at Pedro and Abiri/Ogudu area, Ile-Ife.

Osanyintuyi said that the defendants conspired among themselves to commit a felony to wit, conduct likely to cause the breach of the peace.

He added that the defendants conducted themselves in a manner that might likely cause mayhem in Ile-Ife and its environs when they engaged themselves in smoking weeds, suspected to be Indian hemp.

According to him, the accused could not give satisfactory account of how they came about the weed.

The Prosecutor stated further that the offence contravened sections 249(d), 430 and 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Osun, 2002.

The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the three-count charge of: conspiracy, breach of public peace and possession of Indian hemp.

The Defence Counsel, Mr Wonder Okoh, pleaded for the accused to be granted bail in most Liberal term and pledged that his clients would not jump bail, but would provide reliable sureties.

Magistrate O. B. Adediwura granted the defendants bails in the sum of N20,000 each with one surety in like amount.

Adediwura added that they must swear to an affidavit of means, resides within the court jurisdiction, provide three years tax clearance certificate as well as produce three recent passport photographs each.

The case was adjourned until Nov 15, for hearing.