A Magistrates’ Court sitting in Osogbo, capital of Osun State docked a 77-year-old visually-impaired man for allegedly being in possession of a substance (Indian hemp).
The 77-year-old man identified as Kareem Adebayo was arraigned before Magistrate Risikat Olayemi on two counts bordering on possession of Indian hemp.
WITHIN NIGERIA learnt that the accused was caught on November 5, around 6:30pm with a bag containing a large quantity of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp.
The suspect was alleged to have conducted himself in a manner likely to cause a breach of peace.
According to reports, “the offences were said to be contrary to and punishable under Sections 430, 249 (d) of the Criminal Code Cap 38c volume 11 laws of Osun State of Nigeria, 2003.
The accused pleaded innocence when the charges were read to him.
The Prosecution counsel, Racheal Idowu informed the court that the accused had been arrested twice in the past by operatives of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and he was made to face trial in which he spent several months in remand before he was later freed.
Racheal Idowu further added that Adebayo returned to the illicit buisness of drygs after regaining freedom. The accused did not have legal representative when he was arraigned.
The case was transferred to Okuku Magistrate Court for mention on November 11, 2019 by Magistrate Olayemi because the offences were committed in the Okuku Magisterial District.
She also said police should grant the accused bail because of his age and health status pending his arraignment.
