A Federal High Court in Lagos on Thursday sentenced a petty trader, Sadiq Balogun, to 10 years imprisonment for dealing in heroin.
Balogun, 27, who resides on Ikpodu Street, Ikeja, had pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of illicit drug.
Justice Okon Abang had convicted Balogun after the review of the facts of the case as provided by the prosecutor, Mr. Orji Kalu, an officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.
Kalu told the court that Balogun committed the offence at his residence on December 6, 2014.
According to him, the accused was caught by a team of NDLEA officials while he was selling 11.6 grammes of heroin.
H e said, “The NDLEA men caught her while she was selling heroin. She was arrested with 11.6g of the substance.”
Abang, however, noted that the confessional statement of the convict revealed that he had been involved in smoking and selling of heroin, cocaine and hemp for over 10 years.
Abang said, “I condemn in strong terms the act of the convict as it is harmful to the society.
“Based on the plea of the accused and the evidence before the court, the accused is found guilty as charged and accordingly convicted.
“He is hereby sentenced to 10 years imprisonment which takes effect from the date of arraignment.”
The judge added that the conviction was in accordance with the provision of the Criminal Procedure Act, Law of the Federation, 2004.
Abang also said the sentence was to deter others who peddled and smoked illicit substances.
The court ordered that the bulk of the drug be returned to the prosecution for destruction.
The defence counsel, Mrs. O. O. Ogunleye, had earlier prayed the court to tamper justice with mercy.
She had explained to the court that the convict had learnt his lesson in a hard way and had promised not go back to the illicit business if he was pardoned by the judge.
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