Man, 39, docked over alleged possession of Indian hemp

A 39-year-old man, Khalid Rabiu, was on Friday arraigned at a Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna for allegedly possessing 3.7kg of Indian hemp.

Rabiu was charged with conspiracy and unlawful possession of drugs but he pleaded not guilty.

The NDLEA Counsel, T. J. Atserhegh, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on Jan. 20, by 10:00 pm, at Rigasa, Kaduna.

According to Atserhegh, the defendant was arrested by operatives of NDLEA while transporting N3.7kg of the hemp in his car.

He said that the offence contravened the provisions of Section 11(c) of the NDLEA Act Cap.

The Judge, Justice Mohhamed Garba, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N1 million and two sureties in like sum.

Garba ordered that the sureties must swear to an affidavit of means, have landed property in Kaduna and produce evidence of three years tax clearance.

He said that one of the sureties must be a civil servant of grade level 15, and that the residences of both sureties must be confirmed by the court’s registrar.

The Judge adjourned the case until Feb. 26 for commencement of trial.