Ongoing trial at the Federal High Court Abuja. Accused charged for possessing cannabis is called to make allocutus having pleaded guilty.

Lucius Nwosu SAN seeing defendant has no lawyer applies for leave to plead allocutus for the accused.

A short and insightful thread.

1st point, the charge classifying a Class C drug as cannabis with a Class A drug as Cocaine makes the charge baseless.

2nd point, given the non commercial quantity found on him which costs N2,500, it will cost the govt more than N2500 to feed him in prison if sent to jail.

3rd point, chances that the man might learn other vices in prison makes a long sentence antisocial.

4th point, in Netherlands and some states in USA, it is not a crime to possess and smoke cannabis.

5th point, even my learned friend Gov. Akeredolu has advised the govt to legalise cultivation of cannabis to aid revenue. Court refuses to put down this point.

He finally urges the court to exercise restraint in punishing accused. Nwosu recommends a light fine of N2,500.

Court advises Paul Usoro, SAN who is also in court and is the current NBA President to look into the amendment of the Indian Hemp Act which it considers obsolete. .

Mr. Usoro agrees to look into it.

Court in its sentence agrees that the act is minimal and sentences accused to 4 months in prison with an option of fine of N20,000.

This feels like a small win for the campaign for the decriminalization of marijuana. .

The Indian Hemp Act needs to be abolished.

UPDATE: Lucius Nwosu SAN and Paul Usoro SAN have raised the fine money for the accused. .

My faith in our humanity is restored.