Thursday, October 23, 2025 - A Federal
High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, has convicted and sentenced a single mother
of four, Joy Awoshika, for unlawful dealing in cannabis-infused juice,
popularly known as skuchis, and cannabis sativa (marijuana).
Justice Musa Kakaki handed down the conviction after
Awoshika pleaded guilty to a charge filed by the National Drug Law Enforcement
Agency (NDLEA).
The convict, a former employee of First Bank Plc, Zaria branch, was arrested
with 6,096 litres of skuchis and 4.322 kilogrammes of marijuana. Prosecuting
counsel, Mr Buhari Abdullahi, told the court that Awoshika was apprehended on
September 10, 2025, at Caritas Event Centre, Ibeshe, in Ikorodu area of Lagos.
He said three vehicles used in conveying the drugs were also
seized: a white Volkswagen van (AKD 510 YJ), a white and green Toyota mini
truck (LSC 999 YK), and a yellow Ford van (AKD 511 YJ).
Abdullahi informed the court that the NDLEA sought
forfeiture of the vehicles under Sections 26, 32(c), 33(2) and 36 of the NDLEA
Act, Cap N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria. He added that the offence
contravened Section 11(c) of the same Act.
Following Awoshika’s guilty plea, the prosecutor reviewed
the facts of the case and tendered the recovered exhibits, urging the court to
convict her in line with Section 274(2) of the Administration of Criminal
Justice Act (ACJA) 2015.
In her plea for leniency, the defence counsel, Chief Lilian
Omotunde, told the court that her client is a single mother of four children,
holds a master’s degree in accounting from Obafemi Awolowo University, and once
worked with First Bank.
The prosecutor, however, urged the court to impose a fine that would deter others despite the convict’s ill-health. In his judgment, Justice Kakaki ordered Awoshika to pay a fine of N1 million and directed that the three vehicles used in committing the crime be forfeited to the Federal Government.
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