Police on Thursday arraigned three men at the Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for alleged possession of substances suspected to be indian hemp.
The defendants, Biola Adeseun (45), Idowu Shonekan (30), and Hassan Rasheed (50), were arraigned on a four-count charge of conspiracy, unlawful possession, pollution, and conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace.
The Prosecutor, Josephine Ikhayere, told the court that the defendants and others still at large committed the offences on October 2 around Apple Junction in Festac.
Ikhayere said the defendants conspired to possess 130 packs of substances suspected to be Indian hemp, also called Canadian Loud, without lawful authority.
She added that the defendants failed to give a satisfactory explanation when questioned by the police about how they obtained the suspected drugs.
lAccording to the prosecutor, the defendants smoked and sold the substances, thereby polluting the atmosphere and endangering healthy living within the community.
Ikhayere said the offences contravened Sections 411, 329, 166(a)(b), and 168(b) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Magistrate L. A. Owolabi granted each defendant bail in the sum of ₦1 million, with two reliable sureties in like sum.
The sureties are to provide verified addresses and proof of livelihood.
He further directed that one of the sureties must be a civil servant.
The magistrate adjourned the case till December 3 for hearing.
