The police on Wednesday arraigned five persons before an Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrates’ Court for alleged possession of hemp and breach of peace.

The defendants, Babalola Azeez, 34; Tobi Sunday, 24; Balogun Seun, 42; Yekeni Jamiu, 20; and Oluwaseun Pelumi, 25, are facing a two-count charge of possession of hemp and breach of peace.

They, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against them.

The prosecutor, Akinwale Oriyomi, told the court that the defendants committed the offence on March 11, at about 08:30 p.m. at Irona Area in Ado-Ekiti.

He alleged that the defendants had in their possession 24 wraps of weed suspected to be hemp, tramadol and illicit substances.

Mr Oriyomi also alleged that the defendants conducted themselves in a manner likely to cause the breach of peace.

He noted that the offence contravened Section 5(1)(b) of the Indian Hemp Act Law of the Federation of Nigeria, 2009, and Section 181(1)(d) of the Criminal Law of Ekiti State, 2021. 

The prosecutor asked the court for an adjournment to enable him to study the case file and assemble his witnesses.

The counsel to the defendants, Timi Omotosho, urged the court to grant the defendants bail, with a promise that they would not jump bail.

The chief magistrate, Abayomi Adeosun, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N200,000 with one surety each in like sum.

He adjourned the case until April 30 for hearing.

(NAN)