A 32 year-old truck driver, Oriyomi Ayesoro, has been convicted and sentenced to five years imprisonment by a Federal High Court sitting, Lagos, for unlawfully transporting 2,647 kilogrammes of Cannabis Sativa, commonly known as Indian hemp and marijuana.
Ayesoro was convicted and sentenced to the jail-term by Justice Akintayo Aluko, following his guilty plea to a county charge slammed on him by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) today.
Apart from the jail-term awarded to the convicted driver, Justice Aluko also ordered that the truck marked FKJ 271 IYL, with chassis number SBCAIA000B015241, used to convey the prohibited drug be forfeited to the Federal government of Nigeria in the interim.
The prosecutor, Paul Ekuri, while arraigning the convict in a charge marked FHC/LAG/CR/642/2026, told the court that he was arrested on July 9, 2026, at Abraham Adesanya Street, Lekki, Lagos, while transporting the prohibited drug in a white Iveco truck with registration number FKJ 271 IYL and chassis number SBCAIA000B015241
from Alasia Tipper Garage to Berger, Lagos State.
The convict’s offence, the prosecutor said was contrary to and punishable under Section 11(b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, Cap N30, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
The convicted truck driver admitted committing the offence and pleaded guilty to the charge.
Based on his guilty plea, the prosecutor prayed the court to convict and sentence him in accordance of the section of NDLEA Act he was charged with and exhibits tendered.
The prosecutor also prayed the court to forfeit the truck used in transporting the drug to the Federal government of Nigeria.
But, Dennis Warri, the convict’s lawyer, while not opposed the prosecutor’s request for his client’s conviction.
The lawyer, after cited plethoras of legal authorites and NDLEA Act, vehemently opposed to final forfeiture order sought for by the prosecutor.
The submission which was equally opposed by the prosecutor.
Justice Aluko in his judgment after taking argument of both Counsel, sentenced the driver to five years imprisonment.
The judge however ordered the convicted driver to pay N1 million as a fine option in lieu of the jail-term.
Giving verdict on the truck used as conveyance for the prohibited drug, Justice Aluko after considering all the parties submissions ruled that: “……. the onus on the vehicle owner is to establish the fact that the crime was committed without his knowledge or consent.
“The owner of the vehicle, of the truck, is given a period of seven days from today to place facts or evidence before the Court to show cause why the final forfeiture order should not be made over the truck.”
Charge against the convicted truck driver reads: “that you ORIYOMI AYESORO ‘M’ 32 on or about the 9th day of July, 2026 at Abraham Adesanya Street, Lekki, Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, without lawful authority, transported 2,647 Kilograms of Cannabis Sativa, a narcotic drug similar to Cocaine, LSD and Heroin from Alasia Tipper Garage Lagos to Berger Lagos State using a white Iveco Truck with Registration Number: FK] 271 IYL and Chassis Number: SBCAIA000BO15241 and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 11 (b) of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act, Cap N30 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.”