Police arraign 50-year-old man over alleged possession of Indian hemp in Ekiti

The police, on Thursday, arraigned a 50-year-old man, Oluwole Ariyo, before an Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrates’ Court over alleged possession of Indian hemp.

The defendant, of no fixed address, is standing trial on a charge of possession of Indian hemp.

The police prosecutor, Inspector Olubu Apata, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on May 9 at about 1:00 p.m in Iyin-Ekiti.

He alleged that the defendant had in his possession weeds suspected to be Indian hemp.

Apata said the offence contravened Section 5 (b) of the Indian Hemp Act LFN 2004.

He urged the court to adjourn the case to enable him study the file and assemble his witnesses.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against him.

Counsel to the defendant, Mr Tunmise Akinwumi, urged the court to grant the defendant bail, with a promise that he would not jump bail.

In her ruling, the Chief Magistrate, Mrs Taiwo Ajibade, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N50,000 with one surety in like sum.

She adjourned the case till June 5 for hearing.