Police arraign five over Indian hemp possession in Ekiti

Five individuals were arraigned on Thursday at the Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrates’ Court over alleged possession of Indian hemp, according to the Ekiti Police Command. The defendants – Omotoso Opeyemi, Folorunso Emmanuel, Lamidi Alaba, Sanmi Ojo, and Babatunde Abimbola – are facing a single charge related to the possession of Indian hemp and illicit drugs.

The incident allegedly occurred on August 12 around 8:00 a.m. in Ado-Ekiti. Police prosecutor Insp Elijah Adejare informed the court that the defendants were in possession of suspected Indian hemp and illicit substances, which contravenes Section 5(b) of the Indian Hemp Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004. The prosecutor requested that the court adjourn the case to allow for further investigation and witness presentation.

The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them. Their lawyer, Mr Adedayo Awe, urged the court to grant bail to the defendants, promising they would not flee in the interim. The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Kehinde Awosika, granted bail in the amount of N20,000 to each defendant, along with one surety for the same sum. The court subsequently adjourned the case until October 15 to proceed with the hearing.