16-year-old docked for cultism, hemp smoking

A 16-year-old was Monday brought before a Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos for allegedly belonging to an unlawful society and smoking Indian hemp in public.

The police arraigned the teenager along with one Yusuf Waheed, aged 26, on a three-count charge of conspiracy, membership of unlawful society and harmful acts.

The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The prosecutor, ASP Thomas Nurudeen, told the court that the defendants committed the offences at 1.30p.m. on January 16, at Ijora,  Lagos state.

He said the defendants belong to an unlawful society known as Aiye confraternity.

He said that Jamiu was newly initiated and stationed under the Ijora Bridge to sell hemp for the unlawful society, while Waheed  was his supervisor.

Nurudeen added that at the time of their arrest, the two defendants were caught smoking hemp and had another big nylon bag containing the banned substance, for sale.

The alleged offences contravene Section 411, 42 (a) and 166 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised).

Both Sections 42 (a) and 166  prescribe a three-year jail term  for membership of an unlawful society and harmful acts.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs K.B. Ayeye, granted each of the defendants N100, 000 bail with two sureties in like sum.

Ayeye ordered that the sureties should be gainfully employed and show evidence of three years’ tax payment to the Lagos state government.

The case has been adjourned until May 12 for mention. (NAN)

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