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‘Photojournalist’ bags one-year imprisonment for possession of hard drug

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3 years ago

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A “photojournalist,” Okon Sunday, has been convicted and sentenced to a one-year imprisonment without option of fine for possession of 1.2kg of cannabis sativa by a Federal High Court, Abuja.

Justice Inyang Ekwo held that he handed down the jail term after the plea for mercy by the convict and his lawyer, C.M. Wancha.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Sunday had pleaded guilty to a one-count charge preferred against him by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), through its counsel, Lauretta Idiakhoa.

In the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/369/2022, the 32-year-old convict was arrested on Aug. 5, 2022, at Sabon Lugbe, Abuja, wth 1.2 kilograms of cannabis sativa, a narcotic substance.

He was said to have committed the offence contrary to and punishable under Section 19 of the NDLEA Act CAP N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

After Sunday pleaded guilty to the charge, Wancha, in his allocutus, described the convict as “a first-time offender, a photojournalist by profession with aged parent depending on him.”

He said since the day of his arrest and the day he was admitted to bail, he had been of good conduct.

“We are praying this court to temper justice with mercy in sentencing,” he said.

The NDLEA lawyer read out Section 19 of the agency’s Act in the open court following Justice Ekwo’s directive.

NAN reports that the Act stipulates a minimum of 15 years and a maximum of 25 years imprisonment for an offender.

The judge, before sentencing Sunday, asked him some questions which go thus:
“You told NDLEA that you are 32 years and are you 32 years?” Justice Ekwo asked, and he responded in affirmative.

“Are you married?

“I am engaged,” the convict said.

“How old is your fiancée?”

“23 years,” he said.

“Are your parents alive?

“Yes,” he said.

“Where are they?”

“They are in Lagos,” he said.

“Do they know that you are in this problem?”

“Yes,” he said.

“This lady you are engaged to, is she aware that you are in this problem?”

“Yes, she is here,” he said.

“Where is she?”

The young lady stood up in the gallery and when the judge asked her what she does for a living, she said she was seeking for admission.

The judge said: “You heard the law; the law says that the minimum I can give you is 15 years and the maximum is 25 years.

“Assuming that I give you the minimum, if you add that to your 32 years of age, how old will you be by the time you come out (from prison)?”

“47 years,” the convict responded sadly.

“By the time you are coming out, do you think your parents will still be alive?”

“No,” he said.

“Do you think that young girl will wait for you for 15 years?”

“No,” he said.

“You see how you make life not just difficult for you but difficult for every other person. Have you done well?”

“No,” he said.

“What were you doing with this substance?”

“I have a gym and I used to sell it to those that come there,” the convict said.

“Now that you are gong to prison for 15 years, all those people, wil they be coming to see you?”

“No,” he said.

“What do you want me to do for you now?”

“Please, temper justice with mercy,” he begged.

Justice Ekwo, who sentenced him to one-year imprisonment, ordered the prison term to take effect from Aug 5, 2022.

 

 

 

(NAN)

 

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Judiciary

Nnamdi Kanu Opts to Defend Himself as Legal Team Withdraws from Trial

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2 months ago

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October 23, 2025

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Nnamdi-Kanu
Nnamdi Kanu
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A dramatic twist unfolded on Thursday at the Federal High Court in Abuja as the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, announced that he would represent himself in court following the withdrawal of his entire legal team.

Lead counsel, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), informed the court that he and other Senior Advocates had stepped down from the case, stating that Kanu had decided to “take back his case.”

Confirming the development, Kanu told the presiding judge, “I will be representing myself for now. That might change later.” When asked if he wanted the court to assign a lawyer to him, he declined.

Speaking directly before the bench, Kanu argued that the court lacked jurisdiction to continue with the case against him. His submission formed part of an oral argument he personally presented—a rare occurrence in such a high-profile criminal trial.

The development marks a new phase in the long-running case, which has faced multiple adjournments and legal battles since Kanu’s arrest and extradition from Kenya to Nigeria in 2021.

Kanu faces charges bordering on treasonable felony and terrorism-related offences. Legal observers say his decision to conduct his own defence could significantly affect the direction and tempo of the trial in the coming weeks.

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Judiciary

Natasha Files Objections to FG’s Criminal Defamation Suit

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3 months ago

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September 22, 2025

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, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan
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Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has filed preliminary objections before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory and the Federal High Court, contesting criminal defamation charges instituted against her by the Federal Government.

The senator described the case as an abuse of power and a calculated attempt at political persecution, alleging that the charges arose from petitions filed by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.

Her legal team, led by four Senior Advocates of Nigeria—Prof. Roland Otaru, SAN; Dr. E. West-Idahosa, SAN; J.J. Usman, SAN; and M.J. Numa, SAN—argued that the prosecutions are unconstitutional and aimed at silencing opposition voices rather than advancing public interest or national security.

The lawyers tendered exhibits indicating that the senator’s comments were part of legitimate public discourse and media commentary. They further contended that the Attorney-General of the Federation lacks the legal standing to prosecute defamation cases on behalf of private individuals.

According to the defence, defamation is a civil matter and criminalizing it amounts to intimidation, suppression of free speech, and misuse of the justice system.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan also accused authorities of selective justice, stating that while her own petitions over threats to her life were ignored, complaints from her political rivals were quickly acted upon. She maintained that this amounts to discriminatory prosecution in violation of Section 42 of the Constitution.

Her lawyers urged the courts to dismiss the cases at the preliminary stage, warning that allowing them to proceed would erode public confidence in the justice system and waste national resources.

 

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Judiciary

Court Freezes Four Bank Accounts Linked to Ex-NNPC Boss Kyari Over ₦661m Fraud Allegation

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4 months ago

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August 21, 2025

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Mele Kyari
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The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the temporary freezing of four Jaiz Bank accounts linked to former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, Mele Kyari, over alleged involvement in a ₦661.4 million fraud.

Justice Emeka Nwite granted the order on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, following an ex-parte motion filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

EFCC counsel, Ogechi Ujam, told the court that the accounts were under investigation in connection with conspiracy, abuse of office, and money laundering. The anti-graft agency said preliminary findings revealed the accounts, allegedly controlled by Kyari through family members and associates, received suspicious inflows from the NNPC and oil companies.

According to the EFCC, the funds—spread across four Jaiz Bank accounts in the names of Mele Kyari and Guwori Community Development Foundation—were disguised as payments for a book launch and activities of a non-governmental organisation.

The judge held that the application was meritorious and adjourned the matter to September 23 for a report.

 

 

 

 

 

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